First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (M), embracing two babies during the 2007 Child Health Week
First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L), holds a baby during the 2007 Child Health WeekJul 24, 2007 - Grand Finale Of The Second Round Year 2007 Child Health Week
Let me start by congratulating and commending the officials of the Ministry of Health under the leadership of the new Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris for the impressive performance that was recorded in the 2006 National Immunization Plus Days. The 76.1% coverage which I am informed, qualified the State for exemption in the NIPDs for this month is a positive indication that the fight against polio will be won in no distant future.
Again, I congratulate the Honourable Commissioner and all the members of his team that has contributed to the progress achieved so far. It is my hope that this effort and commitment will be sustained so that we will achieve the 80% coverage target we have set for ourselves.
Today, we are celebrating the successful end of the second round of this year’s Child Health Week, with the theme “A Healthy Child, Our Ultimate Goal” and the slogan “Every Child, a Pride of the Family”. I am informed that between Tuesday, 17th when this week commenced and Saturday 21st of this month, series of activities including routine immunization had taken place with the ultimate objective of increasing the awareness on the part of parents and caregivers on the services that are available in all the Primary Health Care Centres and the Community Health Departments recently created in General Hospitals.
I want to commend the Ministry of Health for initiating and sustaining this programme which will encourage more patronage of the health care facilities that have been provided by the State Government to ensure the survival and healthy growth of our children. I will use this opportunity to join the Ministry of Health in appealing to parents and caregivers to avoid self medication and feel free to always seek the professional service of health personnel at centres where the child health care facility is available.
I will also like to appeal to all of us to practice the culture of good hygiene and maintain a clean and healthy environment. Most of the infectious diseases which accounts for over 80% of mortality in children under five years will be controlled and reduced to a barest minimum if we pay adequate attention to our personal hygiene and the cleanliness of our surroundings.
I congratulate our lucky Prince and Princess for the 2007 Child Health Week. I also commend the lucky parents for taking very good care of these children.
I pray that our sacrifice on them will not be in vain. They will all grow up to become great men and women of their generation.
Finally, I congratulate Dr. Jide Idris on his new appointment as the Honourable Commissioner for Health. I wish him success in this new assignment.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your kind attention. God bless you all.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State