In a renewed effort to curb preventable diseases among children, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on parents and guardians to prioritise vaccination for their children, stressing that immunisation remains one of the most effective tools for safeguarding public health.
EpeInsights leant that the Deputy Governor made the appeal on Tuesday during the inaugural meeting of the Lagos State Taskforce on Immunisation and Primary Health Care Services, held at the Conference Room of the Office of the Deputy Governor, Alausa, Ikeja.
“Vaccination remains one of the most effective and reliable means to protect children from life-threatening illnesses, ensuring their growth and development in good health,” he said.
He emphasised that immunisation is a collective responsibility, noting that expanded coverage would not only protect individual families but also contribute to building a disease-free society in Lagos and across Nigeria.
The Deputy Governor appealed to religious leaders and traditional rulers to join hands with the government in promoting vaccination and nutrition within their communities.
He encouraged faith-based organisations to seek clarifications on government policies rather than discourage members out of misinformation.
“Our royal fathers must also help us in the community to spread the good news that our health has been sustained because of vaccination,” he said, citing the success of COVID-19 vaccines in controlling widespread infections.
Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Aina, charged local government chairmen to lead community-level sensitisation and ensure parents bring out their children for vaccination.
“Health education is a key responsibility of local leaders. We must intensify efforts to encourage our people to embrace immunisation,” he said.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, noted that advances in science have led to vaccines that prevent both immediate illnesses and long-term complications such as liver cirrhosis (from hepatitis) and cervical cancer (from HPV). He revealed that the state is currently renovating 47 primary healthcare centres to improve access to services.
“We are working diligently on transforming our PHC infrastructure, and we encourage stakeholders to support this medical transformation,” he said.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustapha, explained that the establishment of the Taskforce reflects the Health component of the THEMES Plus Agenda, underscoring government’s commitment to equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
He said the Taskforce will serve as a high-level platform for coordination, oversight and problem-solving in the delivery of immunisation and primary healthcare services.
