Bishop Charles Ighele, the general superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission Lagos, known as the Happy Family, says denying a child immunisation by parents or caregivers should be treated as a crime against the child.

Mr Ighele said children were a burden to immediate families and society. He said parents and caregivers who indulge in such denial acts should be prosecuted to correct the act.

He said, “If I am to have my way, preventing children from childhood immunisation should be treated as a crime against the child. Such parents and caregivers who indulge in such actions should be prosecuted, and an averagely mild fine should be imposed to deter others from it.

Mr Ighele, a vocal voice on family values and reforms, gave the advice in an interview in Lagos on Tuesday.

The bishop spoke against the backdrop of a boycott of immunisation by people, regretting the physical deformity many people suffered from polio that would have been prevented by vaccine immunisation.

Mr Ighele added, “I have seen adults who were not immunised against polio and the physical state of health they found themselves is not funny at all. The arrogance and ignorance of some parents not to immunise their children have brought much pain to many children and burden on society.”

He encouraged parents to immunise their children as specified to save them from child-killer diseases.

Mr Ighele said the church encouraged members to immunise their children and gave immunisation officials a free hand to immunise them whenever they come around for the exercise.

He noted that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months should also be encouraged, saying it is good for the child as it encourages bonding between mother and child.

(NAN)