UNICEF, NOA Move To Stem Child Killer Diseases In Imo
OGBONNA IWUAGWU
UNICEF, an organ of the United Nations (UN) has raised the alarm that an estimated 200,000 children in Nigeria die from diseases preventable with vaccines.
“It is remarkable that many of the children who die or develop severe illness have not been taken to the health facility or often without seeking any advice from an appropriate health provider or have been taken with much delay”.
Ayoka Margaret – Director of Primary Healthcare (PHC), PHC department, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, disclosed this at a one-day sensitization workshop organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for the women of Obizi in the Ezinihitte Mbaise council, Imo State.
Additionally, Ayoka revealed that millions of children in developing countries like Nigeria die every year before reaching their 5th birthday, stating that seven in ten of these deaths are caused by behavourial attitude of not seeking care timely and promptly.
The world health body listed these diseases to include: tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, Hepatitis B, Diphtheris, Pertussis, Haemophilis type B (Hib), Tetanus, Influenza type B Hib, Rotavirus, Measles, Yellow Fever and Meningitis.
The diseases she said have their vaccines that are given according to immunization schedule to prevent them.
She advised the women to always recognize when their sick children need treatment outside their homes and to take them for healthcare to the appropriate providers.
Ayoka, who dwelt intensively on the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding, hand washing immunization and the danger inherent in female genital mutilation/cutting (FG/C) and lack of proper disposal of faeces recommended that tetanus toxoid vaccination be given to prevent tetanus disease on both mother and children adding that 2 doses should be given during pregnancy at 16 weeks first dose and after 4 weeks.
She enumerated the danger signs that call for immediate help to include: bleeding from vagina during pregnancy, profuse continuous bleeding after delivery, severe headache or stomach aches, high fever, convulsion, severe pain, prolonged labour and loss of consciousness.
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