The Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Chuma Ogbodo, took a hands-on approach to the ongoing 2024 Measles Immunisation campaign by inspecting the Day-4 Evening Review, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO). The immunisation drive, aimed at protecting children aged between nine months and five years, is being conducted across the political wards in the local government area.
Accompanied by health workers, Mrs. Ani Stella, the LGA Immunisation Officer, led the team as they worked tirelessly to reach every eligible child. The immunisation team, undeterred by the challenges, visited schools, churches, and other community hubs to ensure that no child was left unvaccinated. Their dedication mirrored the WHO’s objective of achieving comprehensive immunisation coverage in Nkanu West.
The turnout of parents and guardians was impressive, with communities responding enthusiastically to the call for the vaccination of their children. Mothers arrived in large numbers, eager to protect their young ones from measles, a highly contagious disease that poses significant health risks to unvaccinated children.
Dr. Chinedu, WHO Senior Supervisor, was present to oversee the process and ensure that the immunisation exercise met WHO’s standards. He expressed satisfaction with the progress made and commended the efforts of the health workers on the ground.
Okeke Chineneye, the State Technical Facilitator, also attended the review and commended Hon. John Ogbodo for his active involvement, noting that he was the first LGA Chairman to personally attend the evening review of the immunisation exercise. “Your presence here shows your commitment to the health and well-being of the children in Nkanu West. This is leadership in action, and we appreciate your support,” Chineneye stated.
In his remarks, Hon. Ogbodo expressed his gratitude to the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for prioritizing healthcare and supporting initiatives that protect the state’s most vulnerable. He praised the WHO, the health workers, and all those involved in the immunisation campaign for their tireless efforts to ensure that children in Nkanu West receive this life-saving vaccine.
"I must commend the WHO team and our dedicated health workers who have worked relentlessly to reach every corner of our local government. Your commitment to safeguarding the health of our children is truly commendable," Ogbodo remarked.
He further pledged his administration’s unwavering support, assuring the health team that he would provide any assistance needed to ensure the success of the immunisation campaign. “This noble achievement cannot be overstated, and I promise that the local government will continue to work in close partnership with WHO and other stakeholders to ensure that we achieve 100% coverage,” Hon. Ogbodo affirmed.
The Chairman’s presence and remarks energized the health workers, who expressed renewed determination to meet the WHO’s target for measles immunisation. His commitment to collaborating with WHO and other health partners signals a clear priority on healthcare in Nkanu West.
While the Day-4 Evening Review came to a close, the local government team, led by Mrs. Ani Stella, remained focused on visiting more schools, churches, and homes to reach every eligible child. With continued support from the local government under Hon. Ogbodo’s leadership, the WHO’s goal of eliminating measles in Nkanu West appears more attainable than ever.
