Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Federal Government Introduces Pneumonia Vaccine in Nigeria

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) was launched in Lokoja Kogi State on December 22, at the launch were National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the arm of Federal Ministry of Health responsible for Routine Immunization in Nigeria, also at the event were representatives of The World Health Organization (WHO), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Clinton Health and Access Initiative, GlaxoSmithKline and other partners in the routine immunization landscape in Nigeria The Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Capt. Idris Wada described the introduction of the new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as an essential response to reducing pneumonia in Nigeria. The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Arch. Yomi Awoniyi, said the newly introduced vaccine is a laudable initiative that is capable of protecting young children against pneumonia and other diseases, and disclosed that it is another strategy aimed at reaching every child at risk of pneumonia. He further called on stakeholders who are in the fore front of disseminating information on immunization and other health sectors to influence the acceptance of the newly introduced vaccine. Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad said by the time the nation achieves full time national coverage of the vaccine, Nigeria will avert over 600,000 childhood deaths over 3 years. He assured that the Federal government will ensure the availability of the “lifesaving” vaccines for the Nigerian child towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4 L-R: Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad, Executive Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Architect Yomi Awoniyi and the Managing Director,GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Mr Lekan Asuni at the National Launch for Pneumonia Vaccine introduction in Nigeria by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency held in Lokoja Kogi State on 22nd December,2014. According to WHO Country Director, Dr. Rui VAS, “The introduction of PCV in Nigeria will ultimately improve the Child Health outcome of the country and accelerate the progress of the country towards achieving the MDG4 Goal”. The Country Director who was represented by Dr. Musa Omotosho said over 177,000 children under five years of age die from Pneumococcal diseases annually in Nigeria, and that “The introduction of PCV into the country EPI schedule will ultimately improve the health outcome of children in the country” http://perfectbrandsng.com/federal-government-introduces-pneumonia-vaccine-in-nigeria/

Monday, December 29, 2014

Olympic, Peter Okoye Fete Blue Santa Selfie Challenge winners

Nutricima Limited has rewarded consumers who emerged winners in the ‘Blue Santa Selfie Challenge,’ a Facebook competition which required participants to take a selfie picture imitating the pose of Olympic brand Ambassador, Peter Okoye. The winners were selected based on the numbers of likes for the selfie pictures on the Facebook page and the creativity of the pose. A total of 10 consumers emerged winners in the Blue Santa Selfie Challenge and they were rewarded with gifts and a special surprise visit by Peter Okoye who was dressed as the Blue Santa. Speaking on the reason behind this initiative, Category Marketing Manager, (Standard Milk), Nutricima, Mr. Raphael Agbaje, stated that Christmas is a season for caring and sharing, the brand decided to give gifts that will make the season memorable for its consumers. http://perfectbrandsng.com/olympic-peter-okoye-fete-blue-santa-selfie-challenge-winners/