By Our Correspondent
Officials of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency have warned against demanding money for immunization by some healthcare workers, saying such demand was slowing down the exercise in the state and defeating the objective.
At the flag off of the second round 2024 maternal, newborn and child health week at Okija, Ihiala local government area of the state, some nursing mothers alleged that some health workers were demanding payment before immunizing their children in some health facilities.
The women named two health facilities in Ihiala local government area where they claimed that they were asked to pay N600 before immunizing their children, adding that because they did not have the money at that particular time, they could not immunize their children.
Worried by the allegation, the State Health Educator, Uju Onwuegbuzina urged mothers to always report anyone demanding money for immunization, insisting that it is absolutely free.
Onwuegbuzina observed that Ihiala local government area is not doing well in immunization, reminding them that the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and other partners which sponsor the exercise, do not want any child to die.
She, however, urged mothers not to use the excuse of such alleged demand for money to deny their babies immunization.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, who spoke through Dr. Placid Uliagbafusi, outlined the objectives of the health week, which include provision of free and equitable access to essential healthcare services for pregnant women, newborns and children under five years of age.
She added that health workers will, during the period, administer life-saving interventions, including vitamin A supplementation, deworming, immunization and malnutrition screening.
According to her, mothers and caregivers will also be educated on appropriate infant and young child feeding practices, family planning and hygiene.
“We must work together as government officials, healthcare providers, development partners and community leaders to ensure that these services reach every ward, village and household in Anambra State.
“Let us use the week as a stepping stone towards achieving better health outcomes for our women and children”, Uchem said.
