The wife of the Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called on mothers to prioritise their well-being and that of their children by ensuring they receive vaccinations.
Soludo stressed that this is crucial for preventing diseases and promoting healthy living, especially during a child’s formative years.
Speaking at the Mothers’ Wellness Summit, held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka on Saturday, she highlighted the importance of maternal health and the role of nutrition in family well-being.
The health summit, themed ‘Mothers’ Well-being: The Pillar of Every Home’, was organised by the Women Initiative for Greater Anambra in collaboration with the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative to raise awareness about maternal health and nutrition.
During the event, the governor’s wife expressed concern over Anambra State’s low immunisation rates and urged mothers to prioritise their children’s health.
She said, “It concerns me that Anambra is lagging in immunisation uptake. Mothers must take the time to visit health facilities to ensure their children receive vaccinations.
“A healthy child brings peace of mind and reduces the financial burdens associated with illness. To this end, we urge mothers to prioritise their well-being and that of their children by ensuring regular vaccinations. Vaccination is crucial for children aged between nine months and 14 years.
“Mothers play crucial roles in the health of their families and the well-being of communities. Therefore, we are committed to fostering a united front to improve maternal and child health in Anambra State.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the summit’s convener, Amaka Obi, expressed gratitude to the governor’s wife and stressed the vital role mothers play in ensuring their families eat nutritious meals.
Obi urged mothers to spread the message of healthy living in their communities.
Also speaking, the Anambra State Coordinator for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Bonos Mohammed, announced that the state would introduce the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine in September.
Mohammed highlighted the vaccine’s importance in combating these two contagious diseases, with a goal of reducing incidence rates to one case per million by 2030.
“Annually, approximately 10,000 children in Nigeria are born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome, accounting for a significant portion of the global burden.
“Measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling. Vaccination is crucial for children aged nine months to 14 years, and it is a safe measure supported by over 50 years of global usage,” Mohammed added.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Obidike Afam Obidike, reassured participants that immunisations are provided free of charge in state healthcare facilities and encouraged mothers to report any exploitation by healthcare workers.
A prominent gynaecologist and guest speaker at the summit, Prof. Joseph Adinma, commended the state government for its commitment to the well-being of mothers and children.
Adinma advocated for regular visits to wellness clinics and advised expectant mothers to begin budgeting for delivery, regardless of how small their contributions may be.
He also praised Governor Soludo for providing free antenatal and delivery services, stating that “A good leader must prioritise citizens’ health and education.”
