By Deborah Onyofufeke, Abuja
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA, Executive Director, Dr Faisal Shuaib, yesterday, disclosed that the flooding situation across the country has also affected the smooth ongoing vaccination efforts of the agency.
Dr Faisal, however, noted that the agency has worked out ways to continue with both COVID-19 and routine vaccination in the affected areas.
He made this known in Abuja, while receiving 22 portable ultra-low temperature freezers, donated to Nigeria, by the United Parcel Service, UPS, Foundation, as part of their efforts in supporting the country in its fight against the spread of COVID-19.
He thanked the logistics company for their donations, and he stated that the equipment would be used for the purpose they were donated for.
He noted that as at October 19, 2022, Nigeria has vaccinated 53.5 per cent of its eligible population against COVID-19
He said “The flood has displaced a lot of Nigerians and what we have done is to recalibrate the positions of Nigerians. We know that a lot of the people who live in communities that have now been overtaken by the flood are now internally displaced persons and have now moved to IDP camps, so we have now recalibrated and trying to reach these individuals with vaccines.
“This donation is timely and relevant to our need for energy-efficient cold chain systems for vaccine storage in Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform you that as of today, 13th October 2022, 56,594,138 (representing 50.6%) of our 111,776,503 eligible population have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Making this remarkable progress amidst persistent disinformation and low-risk perception has been possible because of the significant support we have received from our development partners, including United Parcel Services (UPS).
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“We cherish our partnership with UPS and will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria meets its target of vaccinating half of its overall population against COVID-19. As our country moves rapidly towards herd immunity, It is my firm belief that no country in the world is safe from COVID-19, and no business entity is safe from its adversities until all of us are safe” Faisal said.
He recalled how UPS started it’s operation in Nigeria in 1994, almost two decades ago and the shipping company’s kind gesture, a reflection of true friendship that was built and will continue to rest on trust and mutual confidence.
He gave a reminder on the SCALES 3.0 campaign strategy, noting that it still offers a unique opportunity for childhood vaccination and other Primary Health Care services for beneficiaries concurrently with COVID-19 vaccination.
He on this note urged parents to take their eligible children for vaccination against polio, yellow fever, measles and other vaccine-preventable childhood diseases in the same locations where the adults also receive COVID-19 vaccines.
He added that the agency’s mobile teams are in possession of these vaccines, hence, when they visit the homes of Nigerians, Nigerians should endeavour to welcome them and present themselves and their eligible children for vaccination as may be applicable.
The Head, of UPS Foundation Africa, Bassey Anari, said his company has donated about 21 million doses of vaccines to the country, as they are poised to help Nigeria fight against the spread of COVID-19.
“Ups has done a lot and has so far delivered about 21 million doses of vaccines across the country. A strong supply chain is very critical to medical, pharmaceutical and other aspects of health. It is one thing for you to produce and another thing for you to move it to those that need it and that is where the supply chain becomes very useful,” he said.
The ultra-low temperature freezers are to be deployed to the hard-to-reach areas in some parts of the country.
