In a move to strengthen its preparedness for the forthcoming Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, the Ogun State Government has commenced a training-of-trainers programme for healthcare workers, aimed at boosting technical capacity and ensuring effective implementation across all local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, said the initiative aligns with the health agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun, which prioritises preventive healthcare and improved access to quality health services for residents. He explained that the programme was designed to equip participants with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to successfully deliver the MR vaccination campaign at every level of healthcare delivery.

Dr. Ogunsola reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, stressing that the overall success of the campaign would depend largely on the dedication of the trainees and their ability to cascade the acquired knowledge to other healthcare workers across the state.

“The success of this training goes beyond this hall. You are expected to transfer the skills and knowledge to other healthcare professionals so that the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign will be successfully implemented not only in Ogun State but also contribute to national health outcomes,” he said.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Solape Folarin, highlighted the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases in the country. He noted that the training forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen immunisation systems and ensure uniform standards in the execution of vaccination campaigns across states.

According to him, measles and rubella remain major public health concerns in Nigeria, making continuous capacity-building for frontline health workers critical to achieving disease prevention and control targets.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Dr. Surajudeen Olayinka expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Government and the NPHCDA for organising what she described as a timely and impactful training. She assured that the trainees would effectively cascade the knowledge and skills acquired to the grassroots level, thereby ensuring the smooth and successful implementation of the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign across communities in the state.