During a UNICEF media training session, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, revealed that Nigeria’s under-5 mortality rate is alarmingly high at 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, largely due to preventable diseases like measles.
Dr. Ani-Osheku emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort between UNICEF and the Primary Health Agency, which has identified 5 million children to receive vaccinations against measles and other deadly illnesses.
In her keynote address at the South East Zonal Meeting on Media & Immunization Campaign, titled “Media: Our Most Potent Tool in Protecting Lives and Ensuring a Healthy Future,” she praised the media’s role in disseminating critical health information. The training involved partners from UNICEF, media professionals, and advocacy officers from primary healthcare centers across five states: Anambra, Enugu, Cross River, Kogi, and Benue.
She expressed concern over the tragic number of children lost to vaccine-preventable diseases due to misinformation and emphasized the need for effective communication strategies. Globally, approximately 2.5 million children die annually from such diseases, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate share of these fatalities.
Dr. Ani-Osheku described the upcoming vaccination campaign against measles, targeting 24 states, as essential. She highlighted the necessity of combating misinformation, promoting positive behavioral changes, and providing crucial health information.
She outlined key strategies for a successful campaign, including building trust, utilizing influencers, leveraging data storytelling, targeted messaging, and engaging with interactive platforms.
“The media is not merely a conveyor of news—it is a lifeline for millions seeking guidance on health issues,” she stated. “In the fight against preventable diseases, especially through immunization, the media is our most potent tool, capable of dispelling fear and encouraging life-saving decisions.”
The targeted immunizations will cover measles, polio, yellow fever, and human papillomavirus (HPV), focusing on children from Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, and Kogi states.
