Speaking while inaugurating the campaign at the Palace of the Emir Gusau, the Executive Secretary, Zamfara Primary Health Care Board, Dr Hussaini Yakubu, described traditional rulers as key stakeholders to the success of the polio immunisation campaign.
Yakubu stated that the four-day campaign was expected to cover over 9,000 settlements across the 147 wards of the 14 local government areas of the state.
He reaffirmed Gov. Dauda Lawal administration’s commitment to the fight against polio and promoting primary healthcare services in the state.
Yakubu described traditional leaders as very important stakeholders to the polio immunisation exercise, commending traditional and religious leaders in the state.
“We are here to extend messages on the importance of polio Immunisation through our royal fathers.
“As we all know, there are a lot of diseases affecting our children that can be tackled through polio immunisation.
“We are using this medium to solicit support from our royal fathers and religious leaders,” he added.
Yakubu solicited more support from other stakeholders particularly the media to extend these messages to the public especially at the grassroots level.
Also speaking, the Chief of UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Malam Isa Ibrahim,
said the campaign was aimed at ensuring that no child would be left behind in the polio vaccination.
“I appreciate Zamfara Government, partners and all other stakeholders for the remarkable progress that has been made in the fight against polio in the state.
“However, we must acknowledge that significant challenges remain, demanding our immediate and focused attention to ensure that no child is left behind.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional leadership of Zamfara Government for its unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of our children,” he said.
Ibrahim said that UNICEF has been committed to continue supporting the Zamfara Government to maintain its polio-free status.
According to him, to defeat poliovirus, 95 per cent of all children below the age of five needed to receive the oral polio vaccine in at least three consecutive polio vaccination rounds.
In a remark, the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, assured the support of the traditional and religious leaders to ensure the success of the exercise.
Bello called on government at all levels and partners to restrategise measures of eradicating the polio diseases.
“As traditional rulers, we will continue to enlighten our people on the significance of polio immunisation.
“Media campaign is very important to this important exercise.
“We should involve more on media campaign to reach out to more people to accept the exercise,” the emir appealed.
NAN reports that the event was attended by officials of the World Health Organization (WHO), other partners, religious and community leaders, women groups, the media representatives, among others. (NAN)(
www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
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