FCTA partners religious leaders to boost child immunisation compliance
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has enlisted the support of religious leaders in the capital city to tackle immunisation non-compliance and ensure that every child is protected against preventable diseases.
The campaign was launched on Thursday at the FCT Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, where Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary, reiterated that immunisation within the FCT is free, safe, effective and essential for securing the future of every child.
She emphasised that ignorance or misinformation must never be an excuse for non-compliance. “We will continue to educate our people and reassure them of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,” she stated.
Fasawe further revealed that Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the FCT Minister, has approved free enrolment into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) for every child fully vaccinated in public schools across the Territory.
The Administration, she added, has also begun enforcing relevant legal provisions to tackle non-compliance or obstruction of vaccination teams, warning that violators, including parents and school proprietors would face sanctions in line with the Child Rights Act.
According to her, Sections 13 and 14 of the Act mandate parents, guardians and institutions to ensure that every child is fully immunised, noting that denying such access constitutes a violation of a child’s right to health and protection.
She informed that field advocacy visits commenced on Friday, targeting mosques and Islamic centres across Abuja, including the Ansar-ud-Deen Society and Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation. The exercise continued on Sunday with visits to major churches such as the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Christ Holy Church International.
The advocacy visits, led by Fasawe, formed part of a wider citywide sensitisation campaign aimed at ensuring that no child, whether in school, church, mosque, market or playground is left unprotected from preventable diseases.
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During the outreach, the Senior Pastor and Regional Overseer of MFM Wuye International Headquarters, Edwin Etomi, commended the FCT Minister for his proactive commitment to child health and grassroots engagement.
Similarly, Anselm Ikebata of Christ Holy Church International, Area 1, applauded the Administration’s renewed efforts and urged parents to take advantage of the campaign, stressing that immunisation helps safeguard the future of every child.
