10 Die Of Measles In IDP Camps (Leadership news)

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Okeke

The Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwan Mohammed has disclosed that 10 children at Wasa IDP camp died as a result of measles outbreak last week .

He gave the disclosure on Friday in Abuja during the flag off of the Measles Immunization campaign in 19 northern states, including FCT.

Rilwanu  added that as a result of this measles outbreak which affected about 41 children, the  FCT Health  Board is targeting 900, 000 children, including children in the Internally Displaced Camps where a lot of children may have been missed out because of insurgency.

Also in his remarks, the Minister of Health, Prof Issac Adewole pledged that government would take the measles campaign to the door steps of all Nigerians irrespective of their place of residence in the country.

He said that the present administration is also determined to take health care to the estimated 65 per cent of Nigerians who live in the rural areas through its change agenda.

He said, ‘’ we are determined to eliminate measles from Nigeria by 2030. The flag-off is in the urban area but as expected this administration is committed to be taking  to the doorstep of every Nigerian.’’
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’We want to reach out to people in the rural areas to strengthen coverage of health care to everybody that’s why we said the Universal Health Coverage should be  even in Primary Health Care  level and we will target every Nigerian irrespective of where they live. The target is to take it right to your doorstep’’, he emphasized.

Meanwhile,  the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Ruiz Vas, who was represented by Dr. Fiona Braka noted that measles remains a highly infectious disease which leads to significant deaths among children in developing countries.

‘’ In the developed world over 75% of measles cases may have one or more complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, blindness and other related diseases particularly in malnourished children.’’
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’In 2014 over 115,000 m deaths were recorded globally and this translates to 314 deaths every day.  

Measles vaccine has been in use for over 50 years and its safe, effective and free. Over the past 15 years measles vaccination has prevented an estimation of 17m deaths globally making measles vaccine one of the most cost effective intervention in public
health.

‘’At the September 2010 African ministers of health regional committee session the minsters in the African region adopted a goal to eliminate measles by 2020. The resolution called on all members in Africa to develop strategic plan towards measles elimination and to mobilize the necessary resources need to implement those plans.’’

‘’The strategies for measles elimination include high routine vaccination coverage at the sub national level at over 80% at every sub national locality. It includes at least achieving 90% coverage with supplemental vaccination campaign and at sensitive faith based surveillance in the states.’’

The efforts in the African region have resulted in over 90% reduction in measles burdens compared to 2000 estimates, however we continue to experience measles outbreak that pose a real challenge to us at achieving our elimination efforts at the region and in the country as a whole.

Braka hinted that WHO recommends that every child should receive at least 2 doses of measles vaccine adding that Nigeria and many countries have reached many children through mass vaccination campaigns.

She noted that measles vaccination combined with mass immunization campaign with high death burden are  key health strategies which helps to reduce global measles deaths,  adding that strengthening and maintaining progress in reducing measles cases requires strengthening health systems so that they can provide sustained effective routine immunization.

The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Mohammed,  said that the measles campaign is  going beyond primary health care institutions  because government has made provision for immunization in out-reach places such as market places, churches, mosques, transit points and high density populated communities.
 The position this time is very comprehensive and we are determined to reach 85% coverage, Ado added.

The five -day measles campaign which starts today is targeted at children from the ages of six months to five years.