Ada East: The Ada East District Health Directorate has launched its 2025 Child Health Promotion Week and African Vaccination Week, highlighting its dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of children in the district.
According to Ghana News Agency, the launch event, held at Kasseh, is part of the Ghana Health Service's initiative to raise awareness about the significance of child health promotion nationwide. Rev. Dr Hubert D.K. Hounkpatin, the Ada East District Director of Health Services, emphasized that this commemoration is not just about celebrating a milestone but also a renewed call to action for stakeholders to ensure that no child is left behind, irrespective of their geographical or socioeconomic circumstances.
Rev. Dr Hounkpatin stressed the importance of child health as the foundation for the district's future and encouraged collective efforts to safeguard it. He mentioned that the theme 'Every Child Deserves a Healthy Future Invest in Your Child, Attend Weighing Regularly' serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to provide equitable access to essential child health services. The theme also underscores the vital role of parents, carers, and community structures in supporting health systems to deliver quality services at all levels.
Dr Hounkpatin reported significant progress in critical child health indicators over the past year, despite facing several challenges. He noted improvements in routine immunisation coverage, with various indicators surpassing national targets in the first quarter of 2025. This includes 108 per cent measles-rubella (MR2) coverage, 113 per cent vitamin A supplementation, 102 per cent newborn postnatal care within 48 hours, and 100.1 per cent MR2-linked distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs).
The Ada East district has begun implementing the second dose of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV2) for children at seven months of age, aligning with national policy. This complements the district's malaria vaccination initiative, which continues to show promising results.
Mr Kofi Lawer, Secretary to Ada Noryam Kpe, a development-focused indigenous group, chaired the launch and urged parents to change the narrative about child trafficking, abuse, and child labour associated with the area. He encouraged them to provide their children with a healthy life for future prosperity.