Lagos Health Board Seeks Stronger Faith-Based Support for Routine Immunisation
… Says vaccines help boost Children’s Immune System
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) has intensified efforts to increase routine immunisation uptake by partnering with prominent Islamic leaders across the state.
In a courtesy visit to the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, and senior clerics, the Permanent Secretary of LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, mni, urged stronger faith-based involvement in promoting vaccine acceptance.
Religious Leaders as Public Health Advocates
Dr. Mustafa stressed the critical role of religious leaders in delivering accurate vaccine information to grassroots communities.
“Vaccines are vital for strengthening children’s immune systems and protecting them from life-threatening but preventable diseases such as measles and polio,” he said.
He called routine immunisation “an act of responsibility and compassion”, noting that religious leaders can help dispel fears, correct misinformation, and encourage participation in vaccination campaigns.
Faith-Aligned Education on Vaccines
To aid community outreach, Dr. Mustafa presented culturally sensitive, faith-aligned educational materials for mosques and Islamic gatherings. These resources, he said, address concerns while respecting religious values.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as essential in preventing cervical cancer, urging clerics to share this knowledge with congregants through sermons, mosque announcements, and community events.
HPV Vaccine Awareness Project
The meeting forms part of the HPV Vaccine Awareness and Uptake Project, a statewide public health initiative to build healthier communities through inclusive partnerships.
Sheikh Abou-Nolla commended the outreach and pledged continued support in driving vaccine awareness through Islamic platforms across Lagos State.
Also in Attendance: Mrs. Adesola Grace Honfor (Director, Health Education and Promotion Services), Nurse Oluwakemi Oshodi (State Immunisation Officer), Dr. Adeniji (Assistant Immunisation Programme Officer), regional clerics, and representatives from UNICEF, CHAI, and WHO.
