Anambra State Government has warned its healthcare workers against collecting money before administering immunization vaccinations to children and others.

 

The executive secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, ASPHCDA, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu, gave the warning in Awka while addressing participants at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the launch of the rotavirus vaccination.

 

Dr. Ezenyimulu frowned that government had received reports that some healthcare workers collect money from caregivers, who brought their wards for vaccination and urged members of the public to call telephone number 08064036537 and report any health worker making monetary demands before administering vaccination.

 

She said that the state governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo will on Tuesday inaugurate the rotavirus vaccination campaign which according to her, has been included in the National Programme of Immunization, NPI, and henceforth would be available in all the primary healthcare centers across the state.

 

While explaining that the meeting was aimed at sensitizing the public, especially caregivers, mothers and parents on the importance of rotavirus vaccination, Dr. Ezenyimulu explained that the vaccine is for the protection of underaged children against rotavirus which is the main cause of diarrhea disease in children.

 

Dr. Ezenyimulu, who stated that the disease results to severe dehydration and often lead to death, added that with the vaccination, child mortality as a result of the rotavirus could be reduced.

 

Also, the Director, Diseases Control and Immunization, Anambra Ministry of Health, Dr Placid Uliagbafusi, appealed to religious organizations, community leaders and the media to help spread the message on the new vaccination.