Immunisation: Federal Capital Territory Moves To Curb Non–compliance

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), has intensified advocacy and field activities across Abuja to ensure that every child is protected from preventable diseases.

The Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, underscored the importance of compliance with the ongoing Measles-Rubella Immunisation Campaign, in line with the Child Rights Act, 2003.
Dr. Fasawe reaffirmed that immunisation within the FCT remains free, safe, and effective, describing it as a vital investment in the future of every child. She stressed that ignorance or misinformation must never hinder parents from vaccinating their children.
“We will continue to educate our people and assure them of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,” she said.

She further revealed that the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has approved free enrolment into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for all fully vaccinated children in public schools across the Territory.

She also said that the administration has begun enforcing relevant legal provisions to address non-compliance or obstruction of vaccination teams, warning that defaulters, including parents and school owners, will face sanctions under the Child Rights Act.

Citing Sections 13 and 14 of the Act, Dr. Fasawe noted that parents, guardians, and institutions are legally obliged to ensure that every child is fully immunised, stressing that denying access to vaccination constitutes a violation of a child’s right to health and protection.

Field advocacy visits began on Friday, targeting major mosques and Islamic centres across the city, including the Ansar-ud-Deen Society and Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation.

The sensitisation continued on Sunday with visits to leading churches such as Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Christ Holy Church International.

The advocacy visits, led personally by Dr. Fasawe, form part of a citywide sensitisation drive designed to ensure that no child, whether in school, church, mosque, market, or playground, is left unprotected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

At the same time, FCTA immunisation teams were deployed to various districts and communities, including hard-to-reach areas, to ensure comprehensive coverage.

During one of the outreach visits, Senior Pastor and Regional Overseer of MFM Wuye International Headquarters, Pastor Edwin Etomi, commended the FCT Minister for his proactive commitment to child health and grassroots mobilisation. Similarly, Evangelist Anselm Ikebata of Christ Holy Church International, Area 1, applauded the Administration’s effort and encouraged parents to take advantage of the campaign to secure their children’s future through vaccination.

Dr. Fasawe explained that the campaign is designed to be inclusive, engaging traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, community associations, NGOs, CSOs, and development partners such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, WHO, and IVACA. According to her, Secretariat teams have covered extensive areas of the FCT to reach as many households as possible.

Parents turned out in large numbers, expressing appreciation for the Administration’s efforts. Many commended Dr. Fasawe’s team for making the exercise child-friendly through the distribution of gifts, party packs, and toys to vaccinated children.

To ensure full compliance, Dr. Fasawe disclosed that the Secretariat has compiled a list of non-compliant schools and issued reminder letters, while also deploying 132 vaccination teams for a three-day citywide mop-up exercise in collaboration with NPHCDA and other stakeholders.