By Joe Chukindi
Wife of the governor of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo has sensitized women in the state on the need to get measles and rubella vaccination for their children.
Mrs Soludo also distributed Nonye Healthy Living Pap, a brand of kwash pap, produced by her to fight malnutrition among children in the state. She did this during a stakeholders meeting on the introduction of measles and rubella vaccine, at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, the state capital.
She said: “As a mother, a woman, and a public health advocate, I am particularly moved by the significance of what we’ve all gathered here to identify with. Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral infections that have led to unnecessary suffering, complications, and even deaths among our children.
“With the introduction of this combined vaccine, we now have a powerful tool to change that narrative — to reduce childhood mortality, prevent long-term disabilities, and secure the health of future generations.
“I however do not think children should be forcefully vaccinated. I can understand the schools because they fear that parents may come back to fight them if their children are vaccinated without their knowledge. But we can try a new system where if children do not show evidence of complete vaccination, they will not be enrolled in schools.”
Speaking on malnutrition, she said: “Two years ago when I had a meeting with UNICEF officials and I was shocked at the statistics of malnourished children in the state. So I went into research with team of nutritionists and we came up with the Nonye Healthy Living Pap, which we distribute for free.
“So far, we have used it on 12,000 malnourished children in the state and the results have been tremendous and parents have been testifying.
“The Healthy Living Pap, has proven to be another great intervention that has changed the nutritional history of Anambra State. I’m happy to describe this one as a solid milestone – one that will be remembered by humanity and time.
“We have not achieved a comprehensive result if there are still children out there who need this supplement but have not gotten it. No child should die out of malnutrition in Anambra State when we can do something,” she said.
Earlier, Commissioner for health, Obidike presented a paper on the benefits of measles and rubella vaccine said : “We want to make it known that the ministry of education has the right to close down schools that reject vaccination for children. Those who reject such immunization must sign to be held accountable if children who are not vaccinated get into problems.
“Vaccination is the right of every child and people should not deny them that, because of ignorance. We have seen even educated people telling immunization officers that they have sent them to come and kill their children as a way to depopulate the world. That is not true, and it is unacceptable.”
