ABUJA — The Federal Government has launched what it described as Africa’s largest integrated health campaign, targeting over 100 million Nigerian children for vaccination against measles, rubella, polio, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and other preventable diseases.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced this on Monday at the national flag-off ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing the exercise as “a historic moment for Nigeria’s health system.”

Led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the campaign is designed to deliver multiple vaccines and essential health services simultaneously to ensure that, according to Pate, “no one is left behind.”

“This is not only about vaccination,” Pate said. “It is about reimagining how we deliver health services—bringing care closer to the people and ensuring equity in access.”

The minister credited the milestone to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his Renewed Hope Agenda had placed health at the centre of Nigeria’s national development priorities.

“At the heart of this milestone is the vision and commitment of our President,” Pate stated. “His leadership has created an enabling environment for reforms now transforming our health sector.”

According to him, utilisation of primary healthcare facilities has grown significantly—from 10 million visits per quarter in 2023 to 47 million in the second quarter of 2025, a nearly fourfold increase.

Initially conceived as a measles and rubella vaccination drive, the campaign was expanded under the NPHCDA’s Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, to include interventions against polio, malaria, HPV, and neglected tropical diseases, as well as routine immunisation.

“These are not just neglected tropical diseases; they are diseases of neglected people,” Pate said. “This campaign is our effort to change that.”

He noted that the initiative ranks among Nigeria’s most ambitious public health efforts, aimed at protecting millions of children and families nationwide.

Pate also commended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her active role in advancing maternal and child health through advocacy and community engagement.

Highlighting recent progress, the minister disclosed that the federal government—working with states and development partners—plans to deliver 4,800 fully functional primary health centres by the end of 2025.

He added that over 15,000 women have benefited from the Free Emergency Obstetric Care Initiative, which covers life-saving caesarean sections, while the Mothers and Babies Implementation (MaMi) Programme continues to support hundreds of thousands of pregnant women across Nigeria.

Pate urged parents to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccines, describing immunisation as “safe, effective, and life-saving.”

“Every parent desires what is best for their child,” he said. “In a world of misinformation, we must hold fast to the truth and protect our children.”