The Bayelsa State government has announced plans to identify and immunise the 20,000 children who remain unvaccinated according to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo revealed this initiative on Tuesday during a visit from the Bayelsa State Primary Healthcare Board at the Government House in Yenagoa. Ewhrudjakpo emphasized the need for the board to seek additional funding sources beyond government support.
To facilitate immunisation efforts in remote areas, Ewhrudjakpo instructed that more water ambulances, donated by UNICEF and the Gavi Foundation, be allocated to riverine local government areas.
“The board should use the six water ambulances donated by UNICEF in predominantly riverine areas of the state to improve primary healthcare delivery,” Ewhrudjakpo stated.
He urged the Primary Healthcare Board to solicit funds from multinational oil companies operating in the state, such as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Aiteo, and Conoil, as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“In terms of funding, we need you to think creatively and source funds from international oil companies. They should support your efforts as part of their corporate social responsibility, supplementing state and local government contributions,” he added.
Ewhrudjakpo also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving healthcare by addressing the recruitment of healthcare personnel and renovating dilapidated health centers. He announced the upcoming establishment of a special task force to locate and immunise the 20,000 unvaccinated children.
“Primary healthcare will benefit from pyramid funding, and the state community health insurance is now part of the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme. Effective primary healthcare requires more funding and human resources to reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary health systems,” he noted.
In his address, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Primary Healthcare Board, Markson Amaegbe-Tamuno, called on the government to approve the recruitment of more health workers for the understaffed health centers. He also requested the renovation of dilapidated centers, the provision of a suitable office for the board, and the establishment of local government primary healthcare authorities.
The Bayelsa State government’s initiative aims to enhance healthcare access and services, particularly in underserved and remote areas, by leveraging available resources and seeking additional support from private sector partners.
