Ada West Health Directorate Launches Child Health Promotion and Vaccination Weeks

Ada West: The Ada West District Health Directorate has initiated the African Vaccination and Child Health Promotion Weeks, outlining a strategic plan aimed at addressing pressing child health challenges through a 'Minimum Package of Interventions'.According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Farida Njelba Abdulai, the Deputy Director of Public Health for the Greater Accra Region, emphasized during the launch that the theme 'Every Child Deserves A Healthy Future; Invest In Your Child. Attend Weighing Regularly' reflects a unified commitment among stakeholders to provide every child with access to essential vaccines and health services.Dr. Maxwell Onassis-Fiadjoe, the District Director of Health Services in Ada West, highlighted the importance of these initiatives in promoting child health and raising awareness about immunization within communities. He noted the district's impressive vaccination coverage against diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and pneumococcal diseases.Dr. Onassis-Fiadjoe also revealed that Ada West has started implementing the second dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV2) for children at seven months, coinciding with the malaria vaccine's successful rollout in other regions.Throughout the Child Health Promotion Week, health officials in the district will implement a 'Minimum Package of Interventions'. This package includes Vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring, nutrition, vaccination, deworming, birth registration, promotion of insecticide-treated nets, food demonstrations, health education, and reproductive health (family planning) promotion.Mr. Samuel Etsey, the District Director for the National Commission for Civic Education, stated that the commission is committed to collaborating with the Ghana Health Service to educate communities about the importance of immunization. This will be done through outreach efforts in churches, mosques, schools, and other community groups.Dr. Stephen Arthur, the Ada West District Director for the Ghana Education Service, encouraged parents to ensure their children receive necessary vaccinations to safeguard their future.