By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory has joined other states across the country in the Measles–Rubella vaccination, RMR, campaign, with officials commending the FCT Administration for recording a high turnout across the territory.
Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, alongside the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, who led a joint monitoring team to assess progress at Primary Health Care Centres, within and outside the FCT, pledged that that no child is left behind in the programme.
The team visited the Chikora North PHC in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State and the New Township PHC in Abaji Area Council, Abuja, where they interacted with health workers, mothers, and caregivers on the importance of immunisation.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Aina commended the dedication of frontline health workers and urged them to maintain accuracy and honesty in data reporting.
He said, “Verified data, whether targets are achieved or not, is crucial for effective planning and sustainable health sector improvement.”
He explained that the monitoring visits were designed to evaluate coverage levels and workforce commitment, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, and to ensure credible, on-the-spot assessments of field operations.
The NPHCDA boss assured health workers that the Federal Government is aware of their challenges and is taking steps to address them under the Renewed Hope Health Reform Agenda of the present administration, aimed at delivering equitable and efficient healthcare services nationwide.
At the Abaji PHC, Dr. Fasawe personally administered vaccines to infants and sensitised mothers on the importance of routine immunisation to prevent child-killer diseases and avoidable deaths.
She urged parents to spread the message within their communities, warning that unvaccinated children remain at high risk of contracting measles and rubella viral infections that can cause blindness, brain damage, hearing loss, congenital defects, and even death.
Both Dr. Fasawe and Dr. Aina expressed satisfaction with the turnout and coverage recorded by vaccination teams so far, urging them to remain proactive and to adhere strictly to safety standards.
During the visit, the delegation also attended to a 13-year-old patient at the Kogi PHC and recommended follow-up care to ensure effective service delivery.
The Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign, flagged off by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on October 6, will run until October 15 across 19 northern states and Oyo State.
