The Society for Women and Child Health Initiative (SWOCHI) has intensified public health awareness efforts in Kano State through a sensitization and community engagement programme aimed at educating traders, market women and members of the public on the importance of immunisation in preventing communicable diseases.
The awareness campaign was conducted at Tarauni Market in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State and attracted traders, residents and healthcare advocates who gathered to receive enlightenment on the role of vaccines in protecting communities against preventable illnesses.
The sensitization exercise focused on raising awareness about the importance of immunisation in strengthening healthcare systems, safeguarding families and reducing the spread of infectious diseases among women and children.
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During the programme, participants displayed several awareness placards carrying health messages encouraging residents to embrace vaccination and preventive healthcare.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Immunization has saved over 150 million lives over the past 50 years,” “Make sure your family is protected,” “Protect yourself, build a better tomorrow,” and “Immunizations are safe, free, and effective.
Other placards also urged residents to take advantage of available healthcare services with the message: “Visit your nearest health center to vaccinate your family.”
Speaking during the engagement, the Chief Executive Officer of SWOCHI, Abubakar Sharif, said the programme formed part of the organisation’s broader campaign to enlighten households on the critical role families must play in ensuring proper immunisation of women and children.
According to him, immunisation remains one of the most effective public health interventions capable of preventing dangerous communicable diseases and reducing avoidable deaths among children and vulnerable populations.
Sharif noted that many preventable diseases continue to affect communities due to poor awareness, misinformation and failure by some families to participate fully in routine immunisation programmes.
“The sensitization is part of our broader campaign to enlighten households on the important role they should play in ensuring their wives and children are properly immunised,” he said.
He stressed that vaccines have continued to save millions of lives globally and called on parents, guardians and community leaders to support immunisation campaigns and encourage families to visit health centres regularly.
The SWOCHI Chief Executive Officer further explained that improving vaccine acceptance and participation in immunisation programmes would significantly strengthen public health systems and create healthier communities.
According to him, preventive healthcare remains more effective and less costly than managing outbreaks of infectious diseases after they occur.
Sharif also urged residents to disregard misconceptions surrounding vaccines and instead seek accurate medical information from healthcare professionals and recognised institutions.
The programme also featured interactive sessions where traders and market women were educated on child healthcare, disease prevention and the importance of routine vaccination for children and pregnant women.
Speaking on behalf of traders at the market, the Chairman of the Traders Association, Abdullahi Muhammad Abubakar, commended SWOCHI for bringing the sensitization campaign directly to grassroots communities and commercial centers.
He described the initiative as timely and important, especially in promoting awareness among traders and families who interact daily with large numbers of people within the market environment.
Abubakar pledged the support and cooperation of the traders’ association toward achieving the objectives of the campaign.
“We appreciate SWOCHI for this important visit and awareness programme. We are ready to work hand-in-hand with the organisation in sensitizing traders and supporting efforts aimed at protecting our communities through immunisation,” he said.
Participants at the event also applauded the organisation for the outreach, describing the sensitization as an important step toward improving public awareness on preventive healthcare and child protection.
The engagement at Tarauni Market forms part of wider efforts by healthcare advocates and civil society organisations to strengthen preventive healthcare awareness and improve immunisation coverage across Kano State.