Lagos BOOST Project Dey Tackle Hidden Wahala Wey Dey Stop Pikin Immunisation

Efforts to remove di wahala wey dey stop plenty pikin for Lagos from receiving routine vaccines na di main gist for stakeholder meeting wey happen on Thursday, 30 October, for Dover Hotel, Ikeja. Di event wey dem call, ‘Optimised Targeted Intervention for Zero-Dose and Unimmunised Children in Nigeria’, gather medical professionals, public health officers, and development partners make dem yarn about di challenges and find solution. Even though Lagos dey among di states wey get high routine immunisation uptake for Nigeria, e still get plenty zero-dose pikin wey never receive any vaccine. Dr Itunu Dave-Agboola, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for di BOOST Project, yarn say di initiative dey make sure pikin dem dey protected from vaccine-preventable disease, dey identify di wahala wey dey stop immunisation, dey engage caregivers, and dey improve health worker attitude. E talk say di aim na to build sustainable service delivery wey combine empathy, efficiency, and accountability. Di Lagos engagement also match up with World Polio Day (24 October) and na part of SCI wider effort to sustain Nigeria progress against polio and other childhood disease.

Even though Lagos dey known as pacesetter for healthcare, inequality for health access still dey serious. Dr Adeola Akinpelu, Immunisation Programme Coordinator for Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), yarn say population growth and resource wahala na di main challenge. E talk say reaching riverine and underserved areas costly, health workers dey overstretched vaccinating 60–70 pikin daily instead of di recommended 15, and long waiting time dey discourage caregivers. Dr Dave-Agboola add say mistrust fit happen if caregivers miss appointment or if health workers harsh. Mrs Sola Aketi, Director of Nursing Services, yarn say vaccine hesitancy dey connected to historical wahala and misinformation from past clinical trials and COVID-19 reports. Di meeting gather AGPMPN, PCN, Nursing and Midwifery Council, PAN, and academics from LUTH, wey pledge to train health workers, educate caregivers, and hold regular review meeting. Dr Akinpelu conclude say BOOST na long-term project to make immunisation fair, accessible, and sustainable, dey improve vaccine logistics, recruit more healthcare workers, and dey build trust between communities and health providers. Di message be say immunisation no just about needles and syringes, e na about trust, relationship, and shared responsibility.