Kwara Govt. deploys 1,500 healthcare workers for mass routine immunisation

The Kwara Government on Monday in Ilorin, said it has deployed 1,500 healthcare workers for mass immunisation of children, pregnant mothers and adolescent girls.

Prof. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency stated this during her address at the Flagg-off ceremony for the Integrated Health Outreach programme.

She explained that the healthcare workers would be stationed at fixed posts across the 193 apex Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.

“We will provide all Routine Immunisation (RI) antigens for children who are due; Tetanus Toxoid (Td) vaccines for our pregnant women and adolescent girls.

“There will also be general consultations including screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, Body Mass Index (BMI) and nutrition related services,” she said.

Elelu also said there will be a robust system for referrals to higher-level care when needed.

According to her, these services will target 166,309 children under the age of one; 831,554 children under five years and 207,885 pregnant women.

She said that the integrated health outreach is scheduled to run from Sept. 8 to Sept. 12, adding that the programme is a collaboration with development partners aimed at building healthier citizens across Kwara.

“We have made significant strides in improving our health indices as evidenced by the several recognition and awards at the national level,” she said.

She however, pointed out that despite these significant strides, gaps still exist based on some of the data that was tracked.

She noted that the gaps represent vulnerable children, anxious mothers and communities at risk of preventable disease

According to Elelu, the state intends to achieve greater than 80 per cent coverage for the third dose of Pentavalent vaccine by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Kwara Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, commended Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for investing in the health of the citizens.

He revealed that there are ongoing projects, including renovations and construction of new healthcare facilities across the state, intended to boost the healthcare of the citizenry.

Abdullahi explained that the outreach will ensure health workers reach every nook and cranny of the state for the immunisation exercise.

He therefore enjoined mothers and caregivers to make their children and wards available for the vaccination exercise.