In a renewed effort to strengthen public awareness and compliance of childhood vaccination, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through the Health and Environment Services Secretariat (HSES), has intensified promotion and field activities across the city to ensure that all children are protected against preventable diseases.
The campaign began on Thursday with a press briefing at the FCT Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, where the Mandatory Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, addressed members of the press on the importance of compliance with the ongoing Childhood Immunization (Measles-Rubella) Campaign under the Child Rights Act 2003.
Dr Fasawe reiterated that immunization in the FCT is free, safe, effective and guarantees the future of all children, stressing that ignorance or misinformation should never be an excuse for non-compliance. “We will continue to educate our people and assure them of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines,” he said.
He also revealed that the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, approved free enrollment in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for every fully vaccinated child in public schools across the Territory. Furthermore, he noted that the Administration has begun enforcing relevant legal provisions to address non-compliance or obstruction of vaccination teams, warning that violators, including parents and school owners, will face sanctions under the Child Rights Law.
According to her, articles 13 and 14 of the law oblige parents, guardians and institutions to ensure that all children are fully immunized, and denying that access constitutes a violation of the child’s right to health and protection.
Building on the momentum of the briefing, on-the-ground advocacy visits began on Friday, targeting various mosques and Islamic centers across Abuja, including Ansar-ud-Deen Society and Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation. The exercise continued on Sunday with visits to major churches such as Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Christ Holy Church International.
The advocacy visits, led by Dr Fasawe, were part of a broader city-wide awareness campaign aimed at ensuring that no child, whether in school, church, mosque, market or playground, is left unprotected against preventable diseases.
At the same time, other FCTA immunization teams were deployed in several districts and communities, including hard-to-reach areas and places of worship, to ensure comprehensive coverage and ensure that all eligible children were reached.
During the outreach, the Senior Pastor and Regional Supervisor of MFM Wuye International Headquarters, Pastor Edwin Etomi, commended the FCT Minister for his proactive commitment to child health and grassroots engagement. Similarly, Evangelist Anselm Ikebata of Christ Holy Church International, Area 1, applauded the renewed effort of the Administration and urged parents to take the opportunity to vaccinate their children, emphasizing that doing so helps secure the future of every child.
Dr Fasawe explained that the ongoing campaign is designed to be inclusive, involving traditional institutions, churches, mosques, community associations, NGOs, CSOs and partners such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, WHO and IVACA. He noted that the Secretariat teams have traveled to the corners of the FCT to reach as many homes as possible.
A large number of parents came to vaccinate their children and expressed their gratitude to the Mandate Secretary for encouraging participation by distributing gifts, party packs and toys to the children.
To ensure full compliance, Dr Fasawe revealed that the Secretariat has compiled a list of non-compliant schools and issued reminder letters, while mobilizing 132 vaccination teams for a three-day city-wide mop-up exercise in collaboration with NPHCDA and other relevant stakeholders.
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