Kano Targets Polio Eradication Timeline

The Kano state government has restated its commitment to ending the circulating polioviruses and reducing maternal mortality by June 2025.

The state’s deputy governor and co-chairman of the polio taskforce committee, comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, stated this on Sunday during an interactive meeting with the state’s local government Chairmen, district heads, and stakeholders on sustaining the gains of polio eradication, routine immunisation, and other PHC services in the state.

According to him, although the prevalence rate of the virus has reduced, intensifying efforts to curb the remaining virus is still needed to record a zero dose by June 2025 to meet the federal government targets in the country.

He explained that the state would ensure a monthly review of work plans across all the LGAs to ensure effective monitoring and implementation to achieve that goal.

While urging the various district heads and chairmen to devise measures to ensure compliance and reach every child, he urged them to strengthen all traditional systems to further enlighten communities on the need to vaccinate their children.

Corroborating the deputy governor’s speech, the co-chairman of the committee and commissioner of health, Dr Labaran Yusuf, noted that the state has succeeded in halting circulating polio transmission, noting that so far in 2025, it has only recorded two cases in the state.

“We believe we are getting it right, and by God’s grace, before the June set timeline by the federal government, the Kano state government will eliminate circulating polioviruses in the state,” he emphasised.

While highlighting the meeting’s importance, the commissioner stated that it was aimed at keeping the newly elected Chairmen and district heads abreast of what is happening in the health sector and how to do what needs to be done rightly.

He urged them to use the knowledge gained to benefit their LGAs, communities, and the state in general.

In her remarks, UNICEF Nigeria Advocacy Specialist Privanka Khanna said the workshop tends to make the participants helpers in getting all the children in the state get immunised to prevent them from getting the lifelong disease of crippling polio disease.

Meanwhile, in their various commitments, the chairmen of Ajingi and Tudun wada LGA, Dr Abdulhadi Chula and Hajiya Sa’adatu Salisu, respectively, pledged their commitment to improving the uptake of vaccination for their children and improving the general healthcare delivery in their areas.