Shortage of Vaccines Mar Health Week in Nasarawa

Hir Joseph
Lafia — Shortage of vaccines almost marred the week long activities planned by Nasarawa State to celebrate the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) aimed at preventing any outbreak of maternal and childhood diseases.

Our reporter who monitored the exercise in the area, observed that all other vaccines, except that for polio were in short supply, putting pressures on immunization officers who had a hectic time, trying to provide explanations to women who turn up for the exercise.

State Technical Facilitator (STF) in charge of Keffi, Iliyasu Salisu who confirmed the challenges, said it was too early to confirm the number of persons who missed some vaccines.

His words, "we have been facing this challenge for some time now. All vaccines, except for OPV, which is always surplus, were in short supply in Keffi."

The 4th Round of the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week (MNCHWW), an intervention exercise carried out between the state and the United Nations' Children Fund (UNICEF) provide Anti natal services, Vitamin A supplementation, Routine Immunization services, De-worming and Nutrition assessment.

It also carried out hand washing demonstration, distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets and Plus items.

The Keffi STF recalled that same challenges was encountered during the July routine immunization exercise.

He said at the Primary HealthCare Clinic at Angwan Waje, a major facility in the area, 156 clients turned up, but only 86 got vaccines.

At Tsohon Kasua, he said 87 clients turned up, but only 53 were administered, just as at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), another major centre, he said "the case was worst."

"We have devised some means; including getting phone numbers of clients, so that we can inform them on the availability of vaccine. This is to curb the complaints arising from clients on how they have been spending money and time to come, only to be disappointed with announcement of shortage of vaccines", Salisu said.

He traced the cause of the challenge to planning, explaining that concerned authorities have failed to take note of the target population, but focus on the 2006 population figure which puts Nasarawa at 1.8 million people.

Nasarawa State government has continued to challenge the 1.8 million population figures obtained by National Population Commission (NPC), saying the commission failed to take into consideration, fundamental population growth indices in the state.
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