By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Teshie, July 22, GNA - Madam Regina Adeti, Assistant Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, has emphasised that immunisation is a fundamental human right and a civic duty essential to public health and national development.
“Every child has the right to access immunisation services and be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases,” she stressed.
Madam Adeti made the call during the launch of the Child Health Promotion Week celebration held in collaboration with the Ledzokuku Municipal Health Directorate at Camp Two Health Centre.
It was under the theme “Every Child Deserves a Healthy Future: Invest in Your Child, Attend Weighing Regularly.”
The event touched on topics covering free general immunisation for children under five years, birth registration for newborns, and education for mothers on child health care, underscoring the importance of immunisation, regular weighing, and proper care for children’s health.
She noted that the initiative aligned with efforts to promote civic engagement and responsibility in healthcare and entreated parents to prioritise the well-being of their children and attend weighing regularly as suggested in the theme, while ignoring misinformation.
According to Madam Adeti, myths and misconceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness could lead to vaccine hesitancy and refusal, which could further lead to an insignificant portion of a community being immunised.
She explained that this could cause an increase in the spread of diseases, stressing that protecting vulnerable individuals who might not have been vaccinated becomes difficult.
She reminded the parents that immunisation could provide long-term protection against diseases, reducing the risk of long-term health complications.
Madam Gifty Ofori Ansah, Ledzokuku Municipal Health Director, stated that the programme aimed to promote child health and survival by providing free healthcare services, including immunisations, vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring, birth registration and malaria prevention education.
She emphasised the importance of regular weighing, vaccinations, and nutrition for children’s well-being, urging parents and caregivers to take advantage of the initiative to vaccinate their children and attend weighing sessions until their children turned five years old, after which they would be issued a certificate.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Sawer/Benjamin Mensah