FCTA aims to vaccinate 1.5 million kids during health week

The Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Board has completed plans to vaccinate over 1.5 million children during the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.

Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary for FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, shared this during a media briefing. The health week is set to run from June 3 to June 7.

Fasawe was represented by Okoli Nicholas, the acting director of Primary Health Care at the board. She defined the MNCHW as an important program that happens every two years. Its goal is to provide essential healthcare services to families.

She explained that the exercise would boost routine immunization, give Vitamin A to children aged six to 59 months, and improve child survival services.

Children between 12 to 59 months will also receive deworming medicine. Health workers will check for malnutrition and offer advice on feeding and hygiene.

Pregnant women will get antenatal and postnatal care to enhance maternal and newborn health in the FCT communities.

“We will focus on iron-folate supplements, malaria prevention during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and newborn care advice. We will also provide family planning information and services,” she said.

Fasawe stressed that the media plays a key role in helping families get accurate information about the program. This way, people will know where and when to get these services.

“The media’s role in this effort is key. You help families know when and where to go. You build trust by sharing clear, verified information.

“You counter rumors with facts, and you shine a light on the dedication of our frontline health workers while holding us accountable,” she added.

Fasawe noted that all services during the health week will be free for beneficiaries in the FCT and nearby areas.

She mentioned that the program will take place in all Primary Health Care Centres across the six area councils, at outreach points, and in hard-to-reach areas through mobile teams.

“Parents should bring their child’s health card; if they don’t have one, we will provide it on site. Children who are zero-dose or defaulting are welcome; no child will be turned away.”

She urged media practitioners to help spread the campaign messages through community radio stations, newspapers, social media, and programs that reach underserved groups.

“Our appeal to you is to take these messages beyond the city, into community radio, neighborhood papers, and social media groups.

“And through programs that reach informal settlements, rural communities, and nomadic populations,” Fasawe said.

Chinyere Ekwueme, the state nutrition officer for the FCT, said mobile medical teams will also visit schools, churches, and mosques to ensure eligible children get vaccinated.

She said this outreach strategy aims to improve coverage and reach children whose families may have trouble getting to fixed health facilities.

Umeh Chinyere, the state health education officer at FPHCB, also spoke. She asked journalists to help build public trust in the board’s health programs.

She said accurate and fair reporting will encourage more people to participate and help correct misunderstandings that often discourage parents from using immunization services.