El-Rufai declares war against polio disease

Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Nasir el-Rufai has said it was an offence for parents not to present their children for vaccination against polio disease.

The spokesperson to the governor, Malam Samuel Aruwan, who yesterday said his boss had announced the commencement of a new round of polio vaccination in the 23 local councils in the state, stressed that “the campaign reflects government’s determination to ensure that no child is exposed to the hazards of a disease that can be prevented, and which has been eradicated in most parts of the world.”

Aruwan added: “Malam Nasir el-Rufai himself chairs the Kaduna State taskforce on polio eradication initiative and routine immunisation.

“The polio task force believes that most parents would easily appreciate the need to vaccinate their children. However, the public interest to protect children against avoidable health threats has led to a decision to make polio vaccination compulsory.

“The state cannot tolerate a situation where the laxity or levity of some parents may expose children to a bleak future. Parents and government must co-operate in guaranteeing good health for children in Kaduna State. The threat from polio is so severe that we must treat it as an emergency. All parents/guardians in the state must ensure that their children/wards are available for immunisation.”

“Every parent has a duty to protect children from avoidable diseases so that nothing hinders their chances for a better life and the realisation of their full potentials. Voluntary compliance and co-operation with health officials is expected from all parents.

“The government of Kaduna State wishes to clarify that any parent found obstructing health workers from carrying out their statutory functions will be prosecuted accordingly as prescribed by the law

“The government has further directed that all eligible children in transit within Kaduna State be made available for immunisation at all transit sites (motor parks, roadblocks, railway stations, airports etc) during the period of the campaign. Vaccinators will work with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials at partial roadblocks to vaccinate children below five who are in transit on highways within Kaduna State.”