From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Some selected journalists in Bayelsa state yesterday embarked on a sensitisation tour to Zarama Primary Health Care Center, Yenagoa local government area of the state as part of activities marking the World Immunization Week.The sensitisation tour which was sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was to engage locals on the importance of immunization to children at every stage of their life.

It was an interactive moment between the locals and journalists at the Zarama health center to get feedback from them and to let them know the importance of immunization to their children. It was also to let them know how UNICEF and her partners valued the life of women and children.Some of the locals who spoke with the team of journalists include; Evidence Mathias said her son has not taken his immunization yet because it has not gotten to his turn, saying she will bring him for immunization when his is due. She commended the staff and nurses for the good job they are doing. “They are very good, they attend to us very well and anything I am asked to do I make sure I do it”.Also, Joseph Martha said she also brought her son for treatment but that the immunization day has not reached and when the time comes she will make sure she brings him for immunization. “I always make sure to follow up all the instructions and do as I am told”.Speaking with journalists during the exercise, acting chief of primary health care centre Zamara, Iberin Mabel Seiyefa commended UNICEF and her partners for providing the facilities, vaccines and other needed items for the smooth running of the health center.Though she said they were posted there February this year, saying it is commendable because the turnout from the community is encouraging. “As for the last data collection, the percentage was so high, we educated them which is the major thing and they all key into it”.”Within these three months the turnout has been good, sometimes when the health talk is not offered, they ask for it, teach us we want to know more.”Concerning the polio week coming up, workers are on ground, we are ready and the vaccines are here and if it is not enough we will call the zip line and they will use their drone to bring it” she said .During an interview With UNICEF SIO in Bayelsa Dr. Gbanai Orukari said, when you protect your children it helps you in the long run as a mother and a family. Saying that when “We immunize especially our children they are protected from diseases, children are more vulnerable to malaria and it can help to protect children to reduce sickness.”We encourage everyone out there even if you don’t have a child your neighbor might have, have you given your child a vaccine because you need to protect the child and every child around you to make sure all hands are on deck”.GAVI/UNICEF as part of their humanitarian services have supported, renovated health care centers and solarization of 10 primary Health Centres as well as provision of water and sanitation facilities, provision of cold chain equipment, provision of operational vehicles and ambulance boats for more effective delivery.