FG Committed Towards Eradication of Measles By Year 2020

FG Committed Towards Eradication of Measles By Year 2020

The Federal Government has re-affirmed its commitment towards eradication of measles in Nigeria by year 2020. The Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this statement in Abuja, on 20/11/2015, during the flag –off of National Measles follow –up campaign.

 The Hon. Minister pointed out that measles is rated among the top five causes of morbidity and mortality among children under-five in Nigeria, adding that in the year 2000, over 523,000 deaths was reported due to measles and the World Health Assembly declared that there was need for global efforts to be intensified to reduce these mortality figures in response to this challenge. Prof. Adewole emphasised that measles vaccination have played a key role in reducing child mortality and in achieving progress towards attainment of Millennium Development Goal 4.

He also stressed that the 2015 National Measles Follow up is to be implemented in Northern Clusters from 21st  -25th  November 2015,while the Southern Clusters are scheduled to take off from 28th January – 1st February 2016.He also said that the 2015 is targeting over 39 million  children 9-59 months of age, in the country. He informed that the campaign is supported by Federal Government, Gavi and other developmental Partners.  The Hon. Minister appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment for programmes in the Health sector.




In his remark, the Hon. Minister, FCT, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, represented by the Acting Secretary of Health, FCT, Mrs. Odey Achu, said that the campaign is aimed at administering  a booster dose to children already vaccinated and as an opportunity for reaching out to ‘’ missed children’ ’that is children that ought to have been vaccinated in the earlier rounds. He added that this intervention have been showed to be cost effective ,of  high impact and result oriented, in respect of improving child health in FCT and the Nation at large.

He pledged that FCT will support and collaborate with all relevant agencies and stakeholders in health sector towards eradication of Measles by the year 2020. The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ardo Mohammed, said that the National flag- off of measles follow up campaign is the first assignment of the Hon. Minister. He also lauded the technical    support of the developmental partners and others stakeholder in the health sector.

 Ezeaja Ikem.

 PIO/Press and PR.