By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the health sector have been urged to step up advocacies on various health related issues in the country.
Francis Ohanyido, Director General of West African Institute of Public Health, stated this at the weekend in Abuja, during Save the Children (SCI) sensitization meeting to mark the 2023 World Immunization Week.
He said the time has come for the CSOs to champion health advocacies and place health related issues in the front burner.
“We need to understand what is happening in the sector. We need to be getting update from the ministry either on monthly or quarterly basis so that we can effectively function.”
Speaking further, he told the members of the CSOs that their lackadaisical attitudes could create room for corruption the sector.
“We need to stress our advocacies in areas of immunization and why it is necessary. Many people are relying on us and we should not let them down.”
While speaking on the role of the media in improving immunisation coverage in Nigeria, Line editor of the NGO/CSO page and Correspondent of Blueprint Newspaper, Adeola Akinbobola identified media as a critical components in ensuring immunized across the country.
She said there are always misconceptions about vaccines and immunisation making it difficult for people particularly at the grassroot to accept them.
“To change these attitudes, strategic media campaigns targeted at creating understanding and acceptance is required.
“Journalists can counter these threats with accurate reporting on disease outbreaks and immunization.
“And so, there is need for an effective communication strategies that can address some of these issues by making more people aware of the benefits of immunisation; correcting false beliefs, rumours, or concerns that prevent people from getting immunised; and informing people where and when to get immunised, thereby potentially increasing vaccination rates.”
On his part, the Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media, Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria,Amanuel Mamo said, ‘Going forward, we should create an enabling environment and strengthen the three gateways to deliver Basic Healthcare Provision Fund as the principal funding vehicle for the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) which includes immunisations integrated with other services and implemented at primary healthcare facilities across Nigeria, using data to drive decision-making while ensuring the implementation of the zero-dose operational plan (Z-DOP)”.
He said Save the Children International Nigeria calls upon the Federal and State governments to keep immunization high on their sustainable development agenda as vaccinated communities will be healthy, productive and resilient.
