Khadijah Aliyu
Kano- The Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir, has flagged off the 2024 polio Eradication campaign targeting 3.6 million children in the Dawakin Kudu local government area.
Flagging off the campaign, Governor Yusuf explained that his administration is committed to combating polio and other childhood diseases.
He noted that the 2024 OBR3 campaign would target all eligible children, saying that it would go a long way in boosting their immune systems and curbing the virus’s spread, as Kano is one of Nigeria’s 18 high-risk states.
He stressed the need for personal and environmental hygiene and expressed gratitude to the development partners, religious leaders, and the Emirate Councils for their support to achieve the desired objectives.
In his welcome remarks, The state deputy governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo who doubles as the chairman state Taskforce on Immunisation commended the Governors dedication to quality healthcare delivery.
He said the state governor graced the occasion due to the importance of the polio Eradication campaign.
“The state is committed 100% and will collaborate with relevant agencies to eradicate polio”
Kano state commissioner for health , Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf posited that Dawakin Kudu LGA was selected as it is one of the LGAs with large number of zero dose children and Iow immunization RI coverage due to hard to reach communities.
He maintained that, Dawakin Kudu also recorded over 50 cases of diphtheria and urged stakeholders to approach the polio Eradication campaign with commitment and dedication.
The WHO Country Representative Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo Walter represented by WHO Kano State Coordinator, Dr. MAYANA Sanusi Abubakar pointed out that 484 Field Volunteers, 68 Enhanced Independent Monitors, 45 LGA Facilitators, 19 Assistant Public Health Officers and 6 Management Support Team were deployed to provide technical support to the vaccination team to ensure that no child is missed.
He highlighted that, WHO will provide technical support to ensure all eligible children are reached with 2 drops of nOPV2 vaccine across urban to rural areas, hard to reach and nomadic settlements.
“ WHO is committed to supporting and complimenting Kano state government’s efforts to interrupt cVPV2 transmission or reduce cVPV2 cases by at least 80% by December 2024”.
Radio Nigeria reports that, others who spoke include the emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II represented by Dankadan Kano, Dr. Bashir Muhammad, representatives of global polio Eradication initiative, NPHCDA among others.
