Abiodun Flags Off Campaign Against Polio
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has pledged his administration’s unwavering commitment towards revamping the health care system at all levels in the state.
Abiodun, who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, made the pledge at the flag off ceremony of the second round of Polio Outbreak Response Campaign (PORC), held at Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat, Itooro, Ijebu-Ode.
The governor, who acknowledged the critical role child’s health plays in the growth and economic development of any given society, assured of his commitment towards ensuring a minimum of one flagship Primary Health Centre per ward across the state in the first one hundred days of his administration.
The governor, through Press Officer, Primary Health Care Board, Mrs. Shola Ogunbanwo, explained that immunization has greatly reduced to the barest minimum the infant mortality rate among children between the age zero to five which he attributed to improved level of education and awareness in the society.
He said the Polio Outbreak Response Campaign was key to improving the immunity of children against Type 2 Oral Polio Virus that could cause paralysis and even death among children.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Health, Dr. Ayinde Adesanya, described immunization as one of the potent and cost effective health intervention for the reduction of death among children under the age of five.
He added that health care system would become robust and more affordable under the new administration, as the government would exercise every possible means not to entertain any form of diseases in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola urged all the people of the state to ensure that the polio virus should completely eradicated in the State, by ensuring that their children immunized against the polio.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Head of Local Government Administration, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Mrs. Feyisayo Ogunneye commended the state Governor for flagging off the exercise, noting that the administration’s focus on primary healthcare was a step in the right direction, especially at providing quality and affordable health for all and sundry.
The ceremony, which was organised by the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, in conjunction with a number of development partners that includes the World Health Organization, Rotary Club International, UNICEF and NPHCDA among others, reiterated their continued support for the health sector in the state.
