BY: IBRAHIM HAMISU, KANO
The executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has launched the 2024 polio ORB campaign held in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area at the Weekend.
Yusuf during the symbolic launching reiterates his administration’s commitment to combating polio and other child-killer diseases.
The campaign aims to vaccinate all eligible children in the state, adding that Kano remains one of Nigeria’s 18 high-risk states, making this campaign initiative crucial.
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Governor Yusuf emphasized the state government’s determination to intensify vaccination efforts. He vowed to work with health agencies and local communities to reach every corner of the state.
Since Nigeria’s certification as a polio-free nation in August 2020, Kano has maintained vigilant surveillance and ensured routine immunization.
“Out of 200 cases from the 18 high risk state, Kano has 32 cases of polio which represents 13% in the country”.
The Governor urged parents to utilize this opportunity to have their children vaccinated. He also stressed the importance of good proper hygiene and environmental sanitation practices for in the society as key element of improving the health status and reducing the rate diseases.
Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to development partners, religious leaders, and the Emirate Councils for their ongoing support.
In his remarks, the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo Walter stated that, “to ensure quality implementation and adherence to the SOPs and Guidelines, the organization deployed 484 Field Volunteers, 68 Enhanced Independent Monitors, 45 Local Government Facilitators, 19 Assistant Public Health Officers and 6 Management Support Team to provide technical support to the vaccination team and ensure no child is missed”.
Walter represented by Kano State Coordinator, Dr. MAYANA Sanusi Abubakar expressed that from urban to rural areas, hard to reach areas and nomadic hamlets, WHO will provide technical support to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated with 2 drops of nOPV2.
Dr. Sanusi further lamented that WHO is committed to complimenting Kano Government’s efforts to interrupt cVPV2 transmission or reduce cVPV2 cases by almost 80% before the end of 2024.
The 2024 polio vaccination campaign marks Kano State’s continued effort to secure the health of its youngest generation.
The campaign aligns with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s strategy to interrupt polio virus transmission.