From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta Correspondent)
Delta State Government has solicited the support of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) towards a successful vaccination campaign against yellow fever in the state.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), Dr Jude Winful-Orieke, made the appeal on Thursday during advocacy visits to the state CAN headquarters and state headquarters of Local Government Civil Service Commission in Asaba.
Jude explained that the aim of the advocacy visit to the chairman of Local Government Service Commission was to intimate the commission of the yellow fever campaign which involves the use of health workers of the commission. He said the visit to CAN was to solicit the church involvement in the campaign as health workers will vaccinate in the churches.
Jude also added that the state government has began immediate intervention of yellow fever vaccination in Ika North East and Ika South LGAs for persons aged 9 months to 44 years, estimated population of 437,938 as Yellow fever disease can only be prevented and not cured.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission Hon. Joseph Otirhue and Chairman CAN Apostle Dr. Sylvanus Okorote promised to ensure the success of the campaign.
It could be recalled that no fewer than 30 persons between the ages of 18 and 25 years have died from Yellow fever in Ika North East LGA in the past three weeks in mysterious circumstances.
