Our Strides In Immunisation Programmes – Elelu

The executive secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency( KWSPHDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, has  spoke on the significant progress the agency had recorded in the immunisation programme.

Elelu spoke during the quarterly meeting of the Task Force on Immunisation, held at the office of the deputy governor of the state in Ilorin, the state capital.

The meeting was chaired by the deputy governor, Elder Kayode Alabi.

Elelu said the state reached 668,999 children under five years with Vitamin A supplementation, achieving 94 percent coverage, while 123,271 pregnant women received haematinic (iron and folic acid), representing 119 per cent coverage.

She, however, said  the non-release of counterpart funding by some local government councils, poor attendance at immunisation meetings by the council chairmen and their representatives, and rising security threats were affecting service delivery in several areas.

She emphasised the need for sustained political will, stronger grassroots support, and improved security for health workers, particularly in hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities.

Elelu also called on council chairmen in the state to take greater ownership of primary healthcare programmes, noting that local government involvement remains critical to achieving universal immunisation coverage.

The state commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, who spoke through the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, commended the efforts of the task force, describing immunisation as a strategic investment in the country’s future.

She urged stakeholders to strengthen routine immunisation, improve data quality for evidence-based decision making, and intensify community engagement to tackle misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

A representative of the World Health Organization( WHO),  Dr Emmanuel Eyitayo, who spoke on behalf of other development partners applauded the state government for prioritising child health and assured continued support from development partners.

The chairman of the Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Health and Nutrition,Hon. Seun Ogunniyi, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare, noting that the state’s achievements in immunisation reflect a growing alignment with national health priorities.