FG targets 33m children for measles’ immunization

Lagos insists on 2017 take off date for health insurance

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib has disclosed that the Federal Government has released N3.5 billion for the 2017/2018 National Measles Vaccination Campaign targeted at 33 million eligible children between six months and five years across the country.

Shuaib disclosed this yesterday at a Media Orientation Forum for the 2017/2018 Measles Vaccination Campaign in the country.His words: “We should reach 95 per cent because this is our desire and this will require everybody working together, the media, traditional, religious and community leaders, adding “ this is the opportunity for us to reach the very last mile to reach every child.

“It is critical to mobilise mothers to take their children to the immunisation posts, because we want to have a campaign that will march the expectations of the Federal Government, NPHCDA,” Shuaib emphasised.

Speaking, Chairman of the National Measles Technical Committee, Joseph Oteri, noted that states that have not domesticated the Child Rights Act, would be sanctioned.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has insisted that its Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) would commence before the end of the year. This follows its efforts to deliver quality care and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the state.

Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris made the statement during a two-day training of Medical Directors on leadership and managerial skills.

He said the scheme was mandatory, as both the formal and informal sectors would be fully engaged to achieve a healthier Lagos. Idris said the main reason for the training was because the government was trying to reform the health insurance sector and it was essential to ensure quality healthcare in the state.