WHO Team Leads Advocacy Visit To Anambra Health Commissioner Ahead Of Measles-Rubella Campaign

By Stanley Nwako

A delegation led by the Anambra State World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Consultant for Measles and Rubella, Dr. Winifred Ugo Onodu, has paid an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka. The visit comes as preparations intensify for the expanded Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign across the state.

During the meeting, the team briefed the Commissioner on the current burden of measles and rubella in Nigeria, noting that the country accounts for almost 50% of reported cases in Africa. They stressed the urgent need for full community participation to improve immunity among children and reduce the likelihood of outbreaks.

Dr. Onodu told the Commissioner that the campaign targets children aged 9 months to 14 years, adding that the group is the most vulnerable and plays a major role in transmission. She explained that measles spreads easily through droplets from coughs and sneezes, while rubella, though milder, poses a serious threat to unborn babies when contracted during pregnancy. She highlighted the risk of Congenital Rubella Syndrome, which can cause blindness, deafness, heart defects and other lifelong conditions.

Dr. Obidike assured the visiting team of the state government’s full support and urged parents, schools and community leaders to mobilise eligible children for vaccination. He reiterated that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, WHO-approved, NAFDAC-certified and free in all public health facilities and temporary vaccination posts.

He added that the state’s health workers have been placed on standby to ensure smooth delivery of the vaccine and quick response to any reported side effects, which are usually mild and short-lived.

The delegation appealed to media organisations, religious leaders and traditional institutions to help amplify accurate information about the vaccination exercise. They emphasised that strong public awareness remains critical in preventing misinformation and boosting turnout.

The Ministry encouraged residents seeking more details to contact their nearest health facility or visit the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s website, www.nphcda.gov.ng

, or call the toll-free line 7722.