As part of activities to commemorate World Polio Day 2025, the Kano state government in collaboration with development partners has organized a town hall meeting w with 484 Ward Development Committees (WDCs) across the 44 local government areas of the state.
The event, held at the Northwest University Conference Hall, brought together key stakeholders in the health sector, including representatives from the Kano Emirate Council, polio survivors, and development partners such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO),CHAI,SOLINA,AFENET,Gates Foundation among others.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB Dr. Salisu Ibrahim Muhammad emphasized the commitment of the state government and its partners to ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated.
Represented by the Director of Immunization and Disease Control Dr. Ahmad Tijjani, the DG highlighted several initiatives introduced by the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
These include the revitalization of primary healthcare centers (PHCs), the provision of free delivery and caesarean section kits, improved routine immunization and disease surveillance, and the upgrade of several general hospitals across the state.
“Kano is working round the clock to eradicate diphtheria, malnutrition, and other childhood killer diseases.We urge parents and caregivers to always present their children for routine immunization and other health interventions to build a healthier society,”
The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kano,Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, commended the state government for its sustained leadership in the fight against polio, describing the progress as “a result of strong community ownership and effective collaboration.”
“Polio eradication is within reach. With the right actions today, we can make it the second human disease ever eradicated and protect children for generations to come,”
He urged government and partners to prioritize vaccination of all children, strengthen immunization systems and maintain robust surveillancefor early detection and response to potential outbreaks.
Mr. Farah also commended Ward Development Committees (WDCs)for their dedication to mobilizing families, resolving noncompliance cases, and ensuring that every community participates in vaccination campaigns.
“Your commitment is helping protect our children and secure a healthy, hopeful tomorrow. The fight is not over we must continue to act”
Also speaking l, the World Health Organization (WHO) Kano State Coordinator, Dr. Mayana Abubakar commended the state for sustaining its leadership role in polio eradication efforts.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Kano Ward Development Committees,Alhaji Bashir Adamu Jigirya, reaffirmed the readiness of WDCs to continue supporting the state’s health initiatives.
He noted that committees across the grassroots have been instrumental in sustaining Kano’s progress toward a polio-free status.
The event also featured award presentations to deserving organizations and individuals for their contributions to the state’s healthcare advancement, including UNICEF, WHO, SOLINA, AFENET, CHAI and other key partners.