Zamfara enacts LG Ambassadors of vaccine campaign

By Ibrahim Gada

The Wife of Zamfara Governor, Hajiya Huriyya Lawal has enacted Wives of Council Chairmen of the 14 Local Government as Mama Ambassador to champion advocacy on child immunization in their communities.

Inaugurating the Mama Ambassadors, the First Lady said the wives of Local Government Chairmen,will take this message into the heart of every community.

They would remind other mothers to bring their children for immunisation, to attend antenatal care and to keep regular contact with the health centres.

"My dear mothers, allow me to speak to your hearts: The vaccines offered at the health centre are safe. They have been used in Nigeria and around the world for many years. They protect children from life threatening illnesses such as measles, polio, diphtheria and tetanus.

According to her Zamfara had witnessed progress. More mothers visited Primary Healthcare Centres. More babies received vaccines. Midwives and Nurses continue to work tirelessly, even in remote communities, to reach every household. 

"I deeply appreciate all our health workers,you are the true pillars of our communities.

"We must not slow down. There are still children who have not received any vaccines,the zero dose children. These are not statistics; they are real babies in our villages, these babies can be protected if their mothers are informed, encouraged and guided.

"The campaign we are launching today is for them. And the inauguration of our Mama Ambassadors is part of that mission". She said

The decoration of Mama Ambassadors today, were not merely placing sashes on them. Its assigning of a mission, a sacred obligation to protect life and to spread truth. They would serve as the hands, the voices and the hearts of this campaign.

Also speaking the Executive Secretary State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Hussaini Anka noted that, within the past 11 months, several lifesaving programs targeting pregnant women and children at the grassroots had been implemented, leading to a reduction in vaccine preventable diseases.

Anka emphasized that, quality healthcare delivery begins at the primary level, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government, traditional institutions, and community leaders to improve immunization uptake.

He said low vaccine acceptance remains a challenge, prompting the Governors’ Forum and development partners to adopt community focused outreach strategies.