By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State Government through the State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB) has expressed its appreciation to UNICEF for its innovative approach to immunization awareness drive in Bauchi State.
Director, Diseases Control, of the SPHCDB, Dr. Adamu Mohammed gave the commendation on Friday, while speaking at the official launching of a music track commissioned by UNICEF, which was developed by some prominent Nigerian artists highlighting the importance of immunization among children.
The Director expressed his optimism that the musical awareness campaign would further complement other efforts by the State Government and partners in reaching zero dose children that have not had any form of immunization since birth.
He said that the music track has captured the essence of vaccines immunization in communities and would no doubt make an impact in social and behaviour change on some perceived negative notions concerning vaccinations.
Also speaking, the health specialist of UNICEF Field office Bauchi, Dr. David Audu said that the message contained in the music track that is titled “No More Zero Dose”, is that every child deserves to be immunised and protected through immunization against vaccines preventable diseases
Dr. Audu said that the, “No More Zero Dose” song leverages the influence of UNICEF ambassadors and music stars from Nigeria and other African Countries to create significant public awareness and inspire action for immunisation.
The UNICEF health specialist then implore Bauchi State Government, communities and the general public to share the awareness campaign song on all social media handles so that it could reach all the nook and crannies of the State.
In a goodwill message, the chairman of Bauchi State Polio Survivors Group (PSGs) Abdullahi Lushi said the song would further complement his group’s effort in passing the message on the need for care givers to allow their children to access immunization.
Lushi said that, as Polio Survivors, they are living testimonies of the damage polio can do to humans, that is even, if one is lucky to be alive.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on parents to allow their children to be administered not only with Polio vaccine, but all other routine immunization vaccines that protects children from child killer diseases”.
“Although we are lucky Polio did not kill us, but many of us are now liabilities to our families and the larger society. Our conditions may have been avoided if we had been given immunity through the Polio vaccine”, said Lushi.
The PSG Chairman then thanked the State Government, UNICEF, Local NGOs, CDOs, FBOs, CBOs and the Media for always championing their course when the need arises.
Our correspondent reports that the new music track fractured artists like Ali Nuhu, Cobhams, Waje Spyro, Timi Dokolo, Kate Henshaw and Omawumi.