Combating scourge of measles in Nigeria, using Ogun state’s example

Measles is one of the infectious diseases caused by a virus which a‎ffects mostly children and it is also one of the leading causes of death among infants and children in general: it reduces a child’s ability to fight other diseases, resulting in frequent illness. Its complications include pneumonia, diarrhoea, croup, blindness, brain damage, deafness and low vitamin A status, which is associated with higher rate of complications.

It appears two or four days after the outset of the disease, 14 days after exposure. Measles is still a problem and thousands of children still die annually from the disease across the country. Children born after the 2013 measles campaign and who have never received routine immunization are at risk of the disease.

To be protected against the disease, it is important that children between the ages of nine months and 59 months are vaccinated at least twice with measles vaccine. When a child shows signs of

measles such as high fever, redness of eyes, running nose and rash, it is important that the child is taken to the nearest health facility immediately.

This disease spreads very quickly from child to child. It also spreads from infected children to healthy and well-nourished children, especially in crowded areas like homes, schools and markets.

In 2014, 4,392 cases of measles were reported in 296 Local Governments in 32 states of the country. Most of the affected children with about 62 percent were below the age of five years. This is why the World Health Organizations (WHO) has classified Nigeria as one of the three countries that account for majority of global death as a result of measles infection. The country is ranked third behind India and Pakistan.

Hence, Nigeria conducted measles campaign in November and December 2015 in the North and South respectively to rapidly immunise children from age nine months to 59 months at various health centres through supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs).

In line with the above, and as part of efforts towards preventing measles in the state, Ogun state government this year precisely between 28 January and February 28, first joined their counterparts in Southwest to hold the 2016 measles follow-up campaign during which‎ children between age of nine months and 59 months were vaccinated. The campaign was facilitated by the state government and collaborative effort of some development partners on health like United Nation Children Education Fund (UNICEF), United Nation Population Fund Agency (UNFPA), World Health Organizations (WHO) among others.

In order to ensure that children in rural areas particularly the so-called “hard to reach areas” have access to the care, the Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye took the campaign to the 20 Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen. The Caretaker Chairmen instantly accepted to join the team with a pledge to use every resource at their disposal to ensure the success of the programme.

Speaking on behalf of others, the Chairman of Association of Local Governments in Ogun State (ALGON), who doubles as Chairman Ijebu North Local Government, Alhaji Abdul Majeed Ekelojumati, assured the state government and the people of the state of their readiness to support the exercise humanly and financially.

Apart from this, Dr. Ipaye also convened a media orientation meeting with the media practitioners where he was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro. The ‎media practitioners were charged to join the campaign by embarking on public enlightenment on the need to take their children to the nearby health care facilities to get them vaccinated.

On this note, mothers and care givers are advised to always respond promptly and positively to government’s health programmes at all times in order to encourage the government to do more in terms of health care development campaign, especially towards preventing measles in the state.

Ismail Shokunbi