The Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, has announced that the Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Wife of the Governor, will launch a one-week comprehensive maternal, newborn, and child healthcare awareness campaign on Friday in Apumiri Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Headquarters.
Dr. Kalu made the announcement during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the health sector, held at his office. He explained that the intensive medical outreach will focus on pregnant women and children aged zero to five, providing them with routine vaccinations for preventable diseases and additional nutritional supplements to enhance their immune systems.
The Executive Secretary further revealed that the National Body of the Agency would also use the forum to conduct the Big Catch Up Intensification Vaccination program. This initiative aims to vaccinate children who were under-immunized due to the COVID-19 pandemic or have not been vaccinated since birth.
The exercise will take place in six local government areas: Arochukwu, Ohafia, Umunneochi, Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa, and Aba South. Dr. Kalu urged pregnant mothers and parents of children aged zero to five to participate in the routine immunization vaccination exercise.
In their remarks, the State Chief Imam, Sheik Ali Ukiwe, Dr. Mgbeahuru Okechukwu, and Mr. Okpara Anthony praised Dr. Kalu for the initiative and pledged to help spread the message to the grassroots.
Our correspondent reports that the Primary Healthcare Development Agency has received the immunization vaccines, and distribution to the designated local government areas has already begun.
