Zamfara Begins Polio Immunisation Campaigns

The Zamfara State Primary Health Care Board (ZSPHCB), in partnership with UNICEF and other development partners, has launched the Immunisation Campaign to safeguard children against vaccine-preventable diseases, especially polio.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, who launched the campaign at PHC Kwata in Gusau, described it as an essential intervention that encourages parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

She said the four-day campaign targets more than 1.3 million children under five across the state, with 1,997 vaccination teams deployed for house-to-house, fixed post, and outreach immunisation.

According to her, the teams will administer the novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV). Noodles will be given to vaccinated children, while sugar packs will be provided to vaccination teams to support their activities.

Dr. Maradun reaffirmed the commitment of the Zamfara State Government under Governor Dauda Lawal to improving children’s health and strengthening primary healthcare services.

She noted that despite challenges such as insecurity and malnutrition, the government remains committed to improving health indices through increased funding for primary healthcare, infrastructural development in Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facilities, and stronger collaboration with development partners.

The commissioner also urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive the vaccine, stressing that protecting children from polio is critical to the state’s future.

For his part, Dr. Husaini Yakubu Anka, Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Primary Health Care Board, urged parents to take advantage of the vaccination campaign to ensure all eligible children receive the vaccine.

The Ramadan Immunisation Campaign will be carried out across the 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, aiming to vaccinate eligible children with life-saving vaccines.

… Declares State Of Emergency On Polio

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, has declared a state of emergency on Polio in Gummi Local Government Area as part of efforts to address the threat of the disease and enhance immunisation activities across the state.

The declaration was made during the Monthly Meeting of the Zamfara State Taskforce Committee on Primary Health Care System, chaired by Deputy Governor of Zamfara State.

Delivering his opening remarks, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of the State Taskforce Committee on Primary Health Care System, Mani Mallam Mummuni Masamar Mudi (Matawallen Bukkuyum), emphasised the importance of immunisation in safeguarding the health of the people, especially children.

He noted that vaccination remains one of the most cost-effective health interventions and plays a vital role in preventing diseases that threaten communities.

The Deputy Governor recognised the public health challenges confronting the state, such as maternal and child mortality, malnutrition, and vaccine-preventable diseases. He, however, praised the efforts of the state government, health workers, development partners, and the State Taskforce Committee on Primary Healthcare System for their dedication and achievements.

Furthermore, he announced the upcoming Ramadan March Polio Vaccination Campaign, which is expected to reach over 1.3 million eligible children across Zamfara State.

The Deputy Governor urged the Commissioner for Health and the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board to ensure strict monitoring and evaluation to guarantee that vaccines reach the intended beneficiaries.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Husaini Yakubu Anka, urged Local Government Chairmen to continue collaborating with health authorities and traditional leaders to ensure the success of the Polio vaccination campaign and other primary healthcare programmes in the state.

The State Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Raji Mukhtar, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to continue supporting the Zamfara State Government’s efforts to end the Polio outbreak in the State, strengthen routine immunisation, and combat other vaccine-preventable diseases.