The Nasarawa State Ministry of Well being has confirmed an outbreak of measles in Rukubi group, Doma Native Authorities Space, simply months forward of the scheduled introduction of a mixed measles and rubella vaccine throughout the state.
The event, which has sparked concern amongst well being officers and residents, was introduced on Tuesday throughout a crucial stakeholders’ engagement held in Lafia, the place the state authorities reiterated its dedication to tackling childhood killer illnesses corresponding to measles and rubella.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the pressing want for the brand new vaccine marketing campaign. Based on him, measles and rubella are extremely contagious sicknesses that may end up in severe issues together with blindness, deafness, mind injury, and even dying if not correctly managed.
“In my follow as a health care provider, I’ve seen kids lose their sight to rubella. The illness is actual and preventable,” Akabe acknowledged. “The introduction of this vaccine is a collective dedication to safeguarding each little one in Nasarawa State and Nigeria at giant.”
The outbreak in Rukubi comes as preparations intensify for the mixing of the rubella vaccine into the present routine immunisation program. Well being Commissioner Dr. Gaza Gwamna disclosed that medical personnel have already been deployed to affected communities in Doma LGA to comprise the unfold.
“We aren’t taking probabilities,” Dr. Gwamna stated. “Though the vaccination marketing campaign will formally start in October, groundwork together with sensitisation is essential, particularly given the non secular and cultural contexts that have to be revered.”
The stakeholders’ assembly, attended by all 13 native authorities council chairmen and their spouses, additionally served as a platform to mobilise native help for the marketing campaign.
Govt Secretary of the Nasarawa State Major HealthCare Growth Company, Dr. Usman Iskilu, lauded the governor’s proactive stance, noting that the two-in-one vaccine is essential to defending kids aged 0 to fifteen months.
“Rubella and measles are usually not solely harmful however preventable,” Iskilu stated. “Our purpose is to make sure that each eligible little one is immunised, and that requires the complete help of our conventional, non secular and political leaders.”
With the October launch date approaching, well being officers are intensifying group engagement efforts to make sure large acceptance and success of the vaccine rollout in Nasarawa State.