FCTA partners religious leaders to boost child immunisation compliance
FCTA partners religious leaders to boost child immunisation compliance
In a renewed push to strengthen public awareness and compliance with child immunisation, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified advocacy campaigns with the active collaboration of religious leaders.This is contained in a statement issued Sunday by Mrs Bola Ajao, Special Assistant on Media to the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe.
According to the statement, HSES has stepped up advocacy and field operations across the FCT to ensure every child is adequately protected against vaccine-preventable diseases through timely immunisation.
Fasawe stressed the importance of full participation in the ongoing Measles-Rubella Child Immunisation Campaign, explaining that immunisation was mandated under the Child Rights Act 2003 to safeguard every child’s health.
She reiterated that vaccines in the FCT were free, safe, and effective, urging parents not to allow ignorance or misinformation to hinder their children’s access to life-saving immunisation services.
“We will continue to educate our people and reassure them of vaccine safety and effectiveness,” Fasawe said, emphasising the government’s commitment to transparency and community engagement in health promotion.
Fasawe announced that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had approved free enrolment in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for fully vaccinated children attending public schools.
She disclosed that enforcement of legal provisions had begun to curb non-compliance, warning that parents and school owners obstructing vaccination teams would face sanctions under the Child Rights Act 2003.
Quoting Sections 13 and 14 of the Act, Fasawe reminded parents and institutions of their duty to ensure children’s immunisation, noting that denial violated their right to health and protection.
She said field advocacy visits commenced Friday in several mosques, including Ansar-ud-Deen Society and Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation, to promote acceptance and participation among Muslim communities.
She said on Sunday, the advocacy extended to major churches such as MFM, RCCG, ECWA, and Christ Holy Church International, reinforcing interfaith collaboration in achieving universal immunisation coverage.
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Fasawe said the sensitisation drive, personally led by her, formed part of a citywide campaign ensuring no child, whether in schools, worship centres, or markets, was left unprotected from preventable diseases.
She explained that FCTA immunisation teams were simultaneously deployed across communities, including hard-to-reach areas, to ensure that every eligible child received full vaccination coverage.
The campaign, she added, involved collaboration with traditional leaders, religious organisations, community associations, NGOs, and partners including NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, and IVACA to achieve comprehensive outreach.
Fasawe revealed that HSES compiled a list of non-compliant schools, issued reminder letters, and mobilised 132 vaccination teams for a three-day mop-up exercise with NPHCDA.
She said the Secretariat’s teams had covered every part of the FCT, with parents turning out in large numbers to vaccinate their children amid gifts and awareness drives.
Senior Pastor Edwin Etomi of MFM commended the FCT Minister’s proactive approach to child health, while Evangelist Anselm Ikebata urged parents to seize the opportunity to protect their children’s future.
