The Kano State government has restated its commitment to eradicating the circulating polio variant in the state before the national deadline of December 2025.
This is even as the state, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners, has targeted 3.9 million children between the ages of 5 and 5 for vaccination in the second round of the polio campaign exercise.
Speaking during a media dialogue on Thursday, the state director general of the Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Nasiru Mahmoud, revealed that despite some challenges, including missed children, community resistance, and the problem of unreachable areas, the state is putting a lot in place to ensure all stakeholders play their role effectively to achieve the goal.
He said the next round commenced on June 12 with the immunisation plus days in selected special areas where some side attractions (pluses) are provided for children to be immunised, adding that the exercise is scheduled to be flagged off from May 14th to 17th, 2025.
Dr. Mahmoud also highlighted that the government and partners are worried about the state’s resurgence and the high rate of the disease. As such, they have directed all the LGA chairmen, community, and religious leaders to ensure a successful exercise in their communities, noting that immunisation prevents children from preventable diseases.
In his remarks, the chief of UNICEF’s Kano field office, Mr. Rahama Farah, urged the state government to declare a state of emergency on Polio, as the state has less than six months to the December national deadline of polio eradication.
Therefore, he tasked Governor Abba Yusuf with mobilising and releasing all the needed resources to achieve the goal. At the same time, the LGA chairmen should ensure that they fulfil all the commitments made in Kaduna to eradicate the disease
Farah added that the disease outbreak can be prevented when all children are vaccinated, noting that the vaccines are available, safe, free and effective in preventing polio and other diseases.
He therefore sought the support of the media to disseminate accurate information on Polio, saying their role is crucial in addressing disinformation, misinformation, rumours and myths, which prevent families from accepting the vaccine.
