Emir tasks parents on immunisation

The Emir of Gwandu and Chairman of the Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, has said any father/mother who refuses to take their children for immunization against meningitis and measles does not mean well for the children.

The Emir, while speaking at his palace in Birnin Kebbi during the flag-off of measles and meningitis immunization for 978,00 children in the state, the health and well-being of a child is the sole responsibility of the parent. He said parents should do whatever is possible to take care of their children.

“Children are gift from God and we must look after their health and education. Parents who refuse to take them for vaccination or immunization are their enemies”, he said.

He said government and development partners, every year, expend huge resources to combat deadly diseases that are killing children in the state.

The emir promised the continuous support of traditional leaders in the state for the immunization campaigns in their domains.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry in Health, Hajiya Halima Dikko, who was represented by Dr. Abubakar Bature Koko, said the measles and meningitis vaccination campaign in the state would take place concurrently from November 16th to 23rd.

He said children between the ages of nine months to 59 months would be vaccinated against measles while children between 12 to 59 months would be vaccinated against meningitis in all the 225 wards across the state by over 4000 trained health personnel at 400 vaccination points in the state.