FCTA inaugurates mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday inaugurated mass vaccination campaign against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the territory.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, inaugurating the exercise at the Old Parade ground, Abuja said the programme targets over 1.5 million residents across the six area councils.
Aliyu said that the rapid spread of the virus emphasises the need for an aggressive response and improved efforts to contain the infection and protect residents of the territory.
The minister said that the 1.5 million residents targeted would be achieved in the next 50 days.
She said the FCT Administration was taking up the challenge of improving on routine immunisation, diseases surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response services and to strengthen the primary Health Care scheme in the FCT.
Aliyu said that with the receipt of donated high quality medical equipment worth over 700,000 dollars, it would contribute immensely to improve quality of healthcare services in primary and secondary health facilities for better health outcomes.
She added that financing primary healthcare has improved steadily in the FCT Appropriation Act from 2019 to 2021, with over 30 per cent increase on the previous year (2020) funding provision.
“The rapid spread emphasises the need for an aggressive response and improved efforts to contain the infection and protect citizens in all countries of the world.
“Unfortunately, the disease continues to spread worldwide at an alarming rate, demanding decisive and stringent actions to curb the scourge.
“However, vaccination with safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a critical part of FCT strategy to control the pandemic,” she said.
The minister commended the continued support of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and other partners for their collective responsibility.
She pledged that the FCT Administration would continue to work with partners to improve the reach and sustain COVID-19 vaccination in the FCT.
Earlier, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that the FCT administration would continue to enforce the ‘no mask no entry’ restrictions at public places.
Adesola said the administration would continue to enforce regular hand washing campaign, use of hand sanitizers, with not less than 70 per cent alcohol base in all public places and worship centres.
Represented by the Director Operations, Planning and Strategy, Mr Samuel Atang, Adesola called on staff and residents of the territory to take the campaign seriously by making themselves and their families available for COVID-19 vaccination.
“The vaccine has been certified by WHO to be safe. I, therefore, urge residents to disregard all negative perceptions about the vaccine,” he stressed.
Also, the Executive Secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuab, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for his unrelenting commitment to the course of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria.
Shuab said that Buhari’s commitment made WHO to ranked Nigeria as the best in Africa and fourth best in the world.
