Katsina State Government has reiterated its commitment to join National and Global efforts towards polio eradication.
The Deputy Governor, Mallam Faruk Lawal Jobe stated this at the flag off ceremony of the 2023 polio immunization campaign held Charanci Local Government Area.
The Deputy Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of State Architect Ahmad Musa Dangiwa said, these campaigns are intended to boost immunity, reduce missed opportunities, supplement routine immunizations and contain the spread of any type of polio virus.
He said, even though Nigeria has been declared free of wild polio virus, it is important that polio-free countries ensure high quality routine and supplemental immunization services and coverages to prevent resurgence of poliovirus through importation from other countries that are still polio endemic.
According to him, Katsina State is among other States that has sustained the polio campaigns and maintained continuous efforts to improve routine immunization.
The Deputy Governor commended the efforts of all Stakeholders and assured them that current state administration under the leadership of Mallam Dikko Umar Radda has prioritized health care and will do it best for the people of Katsina State.
He expressed appreciation to the Katsina and Daura Emirate Councils and traditional leaders at all levels together with religious leaders for their tireless efforts at community mobilization not only for polio programme but all primary health care activities.
Mallam Faruk Lawal Jobe also called on all Local Government Chairmen to provide oversight and attend the evening review meetings.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health represented by the Director Public health Dr MUAWIYYA Aliyu said, the campaign ia very important and adequate measures have been put in place to ensure it success.
He said the idea is to sustain activities geared towards global polio eradication.
Dr Mu’awiyya Aliyu explained that the target age to be vaccinated is from 0 to 59 months.
According to him, it is responsible of all to protect communities from the diseases hence the need for all stakeholders to put hands on deck to ensure that no child missed the vaccine.
Also speaking the acting executive Secretary primary health care development agency, Dr Nafisa sani said, the campaign has been sustained over the years to ensure that the state is free of all types of the polio virus.
She said, significant effects have been made in the past with numerous successes and activities for this round of the exercise will be by the House to House campaign.
Dr Nafisa sani called on the care givers to continue to utilize every opportunity to immunize their wards against vaccine preventable disease and embrace all cost effective preventive services provided both at community and facility level.
She also called on people to embrace personal and environmental hygiene to causion the out break of cholera in the state.
The Chairman Charanchi Local government area, Ibrahim Sani said the local government will do it best to ensure the success of the exercise in the area.
He assured his readiness to remain supportive to the government policies and programmes especially on health related issues.
The representative of the Katsina Emirate Council Ƴandaka Katsina District head of Dutsinma Sada Muhammad Sada said traditional rulers will not relent on their efforts towards the success of the exercise.
The development partners also pledged their continue supporting health care delivery in the state.
YUNUSA UMAR FARUK
