The Ogun State Primary Healthcare Development  Board (OGPHECADEB) in collaboration with Pathfinder International has inaugurated Routine Immunization (RI) champions for improved  uptake of Human Papillomavirus vaccination and other antigens. 

Speaking during the inauguration at the end of a 2-day training of the champions in Abeokuta, the  State capital, Executive Ṣecretary of the Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola emphasised the need to involve committed stakeholders, leveraging  their influence in sensitizing people in the 20 Local Government Areas of the State on RI. 

Dr. Ogunsola stated that it is essential to scale-up up RI in the Primary Health Centre across the State, noting that regular sensitization on vaccine - preventable diseases would provide better understanding on the importance of RI. 

''This is a clarion call to service for our RI champions across the 20 LGAs.The responsibllity you are taking up today will enable community members to know more about the benefits of Immunization''.

He urged the champions to justify the confidence reposed in them by carrying out their responsibilities diligently for improved State health outcomes. 

Earlier, the State Coordinator of Pathfinder International, Mr Emah Udeme said the initiative was borne out of the need to increase Human Papillomavirus vaccine awareness, enhance RI advocacy, community engagement as well as protecting health of children and  women. 

He stressed that  capacity building of the  champions would  strengthen their technical knowledge on  HPV and  other RI antigens, improve community demand creation and address vaccine hesitancy, 

develop actionable LGA-level advocacy plans, among others. 

The training session had presentations on Understanding of Routine 

Immunization (HPV & Other Antigens), 

State RI Performance (Where we are 

and where we want to be, SMART Advocacy & Community Engagement Strategies, Media Engagement & Effective Communication, Champions Field Activity Tracking, Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability Proper

documentation, pictures angles and 

captioning, activity titles, indicator capturing and many more.