Jutha Gupah, Damaturu November 18, 2019.
The Yobe state government has announced that measles has killed 34 children from 3, 224 cases recorded in various communities across the state. The outbreak of measles occurred between January and October this year. This was disclosed Monday by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health, Hamidu Alhaji, while flagging off 2019 vaccination campaign against measles in Damaturu. According to him; the recent death toll ranks Yobe state the highest incidence of measles in Nigeria. He lamented that measles; has remained one of the leading causes of deaths and disabilities among children. “This child-killer disease, is not only contagious, but spreads like wild fire,” he said. He said the state in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners, is to conduct a measles vaccination campaign to immunize children between nine months and five years. He said the exercise would be carried out at community health centres and palaces of District and village heads and other approved immunization centres. “This vaccination campaign is aimed at boosting the immunity of our children. In addition to this booster dose, it is our obligation as parents to routinely immunize our children against all vaccine preventable disease,” he said. While thanking traditional and religious leaders, he urged them to ensure that their people access Immunization services at designated health facilities Speaking on behalf of UNICEF and other development partners, the Communication Consultant, Hajiya Zainab Hassan, lamented that measles is a deadly disease that had claimed the lives of about three dozen of children. The District Head of Bulabulin, Kalli Murfama, therefore urged parents and guardians to avail their children and wards for regular immunization in communities.
