The Oyo State Government has said it will commence the second round of Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) campaign in seven affected local government areas on Friday.
Mrs Oluwakemi Olawoyin, the State Health Educator, Ministry of Health, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a sensitisation programme aimed at eliminating MNT from the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seven local governments identified are Atisbo, Ibarapa North, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Oyo West, Saki East and Saki West.
The first round elimination campaign was held from Sept. 11 to 19, while the second round would hold from Oct. 20 to 24.
She stated that the general objective of the vaccination exercise was to achieve total elimination of neonatal tetanus from the state.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the international pact for the elimination of Tetanus disease by 2015 but now in 2017.
“Seven local government areas in Oyo State have been identified to be at high risk.
“In order to meet up with an international validation exercise, the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board has now begun a three round of vaccination exercise within the affected local government areas.
“We urge all females of reproductive ages within the council areas to avail themselves the new opportunities,’’ she said.
Mr Steve Akinrinade, the state Coordinator, Primary Health Care Board, explained that 124,852 persons immunised out of the 137,046 persons targeted in the first round.
Akinrinade stated that the ministry recorded 91 per cent coverage in the first round, saying the second and third round is equally necessary.
Similarly, Mrs Kehinde Idowu, Chief Administrator, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, urged women across the seven affected local government areas to avail themselves the opportunity of eradicating neonatal tetanus in the state.
The caretaker chairmen of the seven affected local councils, who were also at the meeting, promised to support the campaign both morally and financially.
They recounted their efforts at mobilising their communities, which led to the success recorded in the first round of the exercise.
NAN reports that the programme was attended by traditional rulers, civil society organisations, health workers and women groups. (NAN)
