From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Suleiman Saidu Bashir, has commended the agency’s partners — including UNICEF and the media — for their crucial role in driving public health awareness across the state.
Dr Bashir spoke during a mass media dialogue on the National Immunisation Plus Days held at the City Green Hotel, Yola, with journalists, youth social media influencers, and development partners in attendance.
He said that although Nigeria has been certified polio-free, emerging threats still require continuous advocacy to sustain the country’s defence against the disease through routine immunisation.
The PHCDA boss urged journalists to intensify sensitisation efforts, especially among parents, on the need to vaccinate children aged 0–59 months, stressing that special vaccination teams have been deployed across communities to ensure full coverage.
According to him, the Adamawa State Government has heavily invested in child health and nutrition, releasing N450 million this year as counterpart funding to access additional support from partners.
He added that primary healthcare facilities across the state are being upgraded, with new structures, solar power installations, and essential delivery kits being distributed to assist pregnant women.
Dr Bashir further disclosed that plans have been concluded to establish newborn resuscitation units in all 21 local government areas to guarantee prompt intervention when complications arise shortly after delivery.
In his remarks, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr James Vasmu, appreciated the media for their sustained collaboration and urged continued commitment to ensure immunisation activities reach every community.
Other representatives at the event also called for intensified sensitisation campaigns across hard-to-reach areas, noting that wider awareness would further reduce preventable deaths among pregnant women and children.
