No fewer than 406 health workers are undergoing a three-day training exercise on Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIA) in Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos. This significant initiative aims to boost immunization coverage in the region, focusing on protecting children and young girls from critical diseases.
According to Dr. Oyewole Folusho Olajumoke, the Medical Officer of Health for Bariga LCDA and one of the program coordinators, the training program will run from October 19 to November 2, 2024. During this period, health workers will vaccinate children 9 months and older against measles, individuals 9 months to 44 years against yellow fever, and girls 9-14 years against Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is crucial for preventing cervical cancer.
Dr. Olajumoke highlighted the importance of the program, stating, “This initiative is vital for our community’s health, especially for our young children and girls. By vaccinating against these diseases, we are taking a significant step towards preventing outbreaks and promoting long-term health.”
Her counterpart from Somolu Local Government, Dr. Bidemi Agboola, added that the three-day training exercise will include daily refresher sessions before health workers move to the field for the immunization exercise. She emphasized the need for proper training, saying, “Public health practice is not familiar to all participants. Not all nurses have experience in primary health practice or immunization. Therefore, we must train them thoroughly to ensure they understand the vaccines and how to administer them properly.”
Local Immunization Officer of Somolu LG, Mrs. Adebiyi Oluwaseun Beatrice, urged the implementers to remain calm in the field, acknowledging potential challenges. “I know there will be challenges when you get to the field, such as rejections. Some mothers might deprive their children of vaccination due to misconceptions. As health workers, you must handle such situations calmly to achieve our target goal, considering the significance of the vaccination.”
The Health Education Officer of Somolu LG, Mrs. Afolabi Bolanle Christiana, outlined the training schedule, stating that Health Worker Volunteers, Recorders, and Field Officers will receive training and be assigned various tasks to ensure the immunization exercise is executed effectively within the 28-day timeframe. “Monday’s training is for the health workers, Tuesday will be for Recorders, and Wednesday for Community Mobilizers and Crowd Controllers,” she said. “We will start with 60% of our human resources and utilize the remaining 40% after 14 days to complete the task.”
Mrs. Afolabi also noted a strategic change in their approach: “This time, we won’t be going from house-to-house. Instead, Mobilizers will inform the community beforehand, and Crowd Controllers will manage the crowd, making the exercise more efficient and less stressful.”
This comprehensive training and immunization exercise, organized by the Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Federal Government, aims to significantly enhance public health in the Somolu and Bariga areas, ensuring that children and young girls receive essential vaccinations to protect them from life-threatening diseases.