Ibrahim Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF has described media as a critical stakeholder in Polio eradication in Nigeria.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Farah disclosed this in his Wellcome address during a Media Dialogue on Polio and Routine Immunization held in Dutse, the state capital.
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Represented by Dr. Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, Health Manager, UNICEF Kano Field Office explained that, the Media Dialogue was to solicit support in raising awareness and mobilizing parents, caregivers, communities, stakeholders and the public about the Polio Vaccination Campaign which Nigeria has scheduled to implement from 24-30 April 2025.
He said the Campaign also coincides with the World immunization Week scheduled for the same period.
According to him, “Polio is a highly infectious disease with potentially deadly consequences for young children. It has been the leading cause of paralysis among children and can cause death”
He called on parents and other relevant stakeholders to make sure all children are vaccinated against the dream killer.
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He therefore urged the media to deploy their various channels to share information about the polio vaccination, mobilize parents and caregivers to bring out their children massively for vaccination during the campaign.
Shehu Ibrahim programme manager State Emergency Routine Immunisation coordination centre (SERICC ) noted that in Jigawa a total of 1.9m under 5 children were targeted for the polio immunisation exercise.
According to him ” In February 2025 immunization exercise a total of seven children were missed in Garki, Kaugama and Maigatari Local Government area ”
He stressed that, the state Government has introduced various measures to ensure no single child is left behind during the upcoming immunisation campaign.
He noted that Iimmunisation teams would be deployed to markets and boarders to ensure full coverage and to ensure no zero child is recorded.
