SADNEWS: Mothers Mourns Heavily In Abuja As 10 Children Mysteriously Dies; See Disease That Killed Them
In a tragic turn of events, at least ten children have died in the Damangaza community, located in the Lokogoma district of Abuja, due to a suspected measles outbreak. The grim news was announced during an outreach programme on Friday by James Budebo, the head of the Damangaza. community.
The programme, aimed at addressing health issues in underserved areas, was organized by the Damangaza primary health care (PHC) center in collaboration with the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), a non-governmental organization dedicated to health interventions.
Budebo highlighted the severe impact. of the measles outbreak, emphasizing the community’s ongoing struggles with vaccine acceptance.
Budebo expressed deep concern over the fatalities and stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing such outbreaks and their. devastating consequences. There have been significant challenges in getting the community to accept vaccines, “Budebo noted. He reiterated that vaccines are crucial in preventing measles, a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications and death, particularly in children.
Longtang Shawen, a health worker at the Damangaza PHC, underscored the compounded difficulties the community faces due to limited access to healthcare services.
Shawen called on the residents to embrace vaccination as a necessary step to protect their children from preventable diseases like measles. We are urging all residents to cooperate and allow their children to be vaccinated, “Shawen said, highlighting the urgent need for widespread immunization to curb the outbreak.
Chika Offor, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VNDC, emphasized the critical nature of the outreach in addressing the current health crisis. Offor stated that the primary goal of the outreach was to promote vaccine accessibility and provide accurate. information to dispel fears and misconceptions about vaccines. “Our objective is to ensure that every child in Damangaza has access to life- saving vaccines, “Offor declared. She also emphasized the VNDC s commitment to supporting community dialogue on vaccination and broader public health measures.
We are dedicated to engaging with the community to understand their concerns and to provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health, “Offor added.
The outreach program included educational sessions aimed at raising awareness about the importance of vaccination and the risks associated with vaccine- preventable diseases. Health workers and volunteers from VNDC and the Damangaza PHC provided on-the-spot vaccinations, hoping to stem the outbreak and prevent further fatalities.
The measles outbreak in Damangaza has brought to light the urgent need for improved healthcare access and vaccine education in underserved communities. The loss of ten young lives serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of vaccination programs and community health initiatives.
As health workers continue their efforts to contain the outbreak, the community is being urged to cooperate fully with health officials. The hope is that through persistent education and outreach, vaccine acceptance will increase, safeguarding the health and future of the children in Damangaza.
