Nonye Soludo, the wife of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra, has urged pregnant and nursing mothers to participate actively in the free Rotavirus vaccination in the state.

Mrs Soludo made the call in Awka on Monday at a meeting with mothers, social and health workers as part of her Easter message to the public.

She said that the ongoing free Rotavirus vaccination was an opportunity for pregnant and nursing mothers to vaccinate their infants against the deadly disease.

Mrs Soludo noted that the essence of the free exercise is to eliminate the heavy financial burden it will cost the poor and low income families to get their kids vaccinated.

“We desire to ensure that the child-killer virus does not hold sway in Anambra.

“Recently, the government in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, worked out a deal to administer the Rotavirus vaccine across public health facilities in the state.

“The free vaccine given to infants between the ages of zero to 12 months, is to prevent diarrhoea related sicknesses that come with dangerous symptoms like severe watery diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.

“The quality health of our people is one of our cardinal goals which is to provide sound health to our children. Take action now to secure healthy living,” she said.

Mrs Soludo further appealed to parents, particularly mothers, to take the programme seriously, noting that it was only when every child had been captured in the process that the disease would be defeated.

“Keeping good hygiene is key in fighting the disease; parents should monitor what their children consume, the environment and maintain hand washing hygiene,” she advised.

The governor’s wife further urged stakeholders to create more awareness about the vaccination as the government intended to cover every child in the state.

She added that the Soludo led administration was committed to enacting health policies aimed at protecting women and children in the state.

(NAN)