The Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), says Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has reduced the health burden of families in the state by investing massively in Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) programmes.
The Executive Secretary of ENS-PHCDA, Dr George Ugwu, made this known on Wednesday while flagging off the Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction into Routine Immunisation in the state at Abakpa Nike Primary Healthcare Centre in Enugu.
Ugwu noted that the governor’s massive and extensive investment, favourable and fatherly disposition to healthcare of children had facilitated preventive medicine for all household in the state.
According to him, “our health-loving governor, his Excellency Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has continued to invest in all known vaccination, notwithstanding the cost, and promotion of PHC programmes to the benefit of all, especially our rural people.”
He said: “Our health-loving governor through investment in PHC programmes and all manners of vaccines have succeeded in making the health of the citizens a priority.
“The governor has supported the Primary health Care Development Agency and the ministry of health to work with partners to successfully improve immunization services in the state.
“Through his health vision and support; the state has been able to introduce many new vaccines, including Men A, measles second dose, Inactivated polio vaccine second dose, COVID-19 vaccine and now Rotavirus vaccine against diarrheal diseases in children.”
On the Rotavirus vaccine, Ugwu said “it is given free-of-charge, safe and effective with no side effect to any child; while henceforth it will be available in all PHC centres and health posts in the state”.
The executive secretary lauded international and national health developmental partners for their support to the state and providing special and technical partnership to the state.
Speaking, Chief Philip Ugwueze, State Coordinator of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said that the Agency would continue to provide technical assistance to Enugu State to continue to succeed in its programmes and vaccination campaigns.
“The NPHCDA is proud to associate with the Enugu State Government and ENS-PHCDA as healthcare of vast majority of the people is given top priority via functionality of PHCs as well as special and routine vaccinations in the state,” Ugwueze said.
The State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation, Dr Chika Okoro, said that the world apex health body would ensure support to health programmes and schemes such as vaccination in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes diarrhea in children.
The new vaccine, which oral drop per dose costs about N7,000 in private health facilities before now in the state, required a child taking three oral drops per dose within few weeks intervals from first six weeks. (NAN)
