Yobe moves to immunise 1.1m children against polio, others

Taraba records massive turnout for immunisation

Yobe State government has commenced the immunisation of 1.1 million children against polio in the 17 local councils of the state. The four-day immunisation exercise is part of the polio outbreak response from the Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB).

Flagging off the campaign against polio, at the weekend, in Damaturu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Muhammad Jawa, disclosed: “The polio immunisation exercise has targeted about a million children below the age of five years to protect lives and secure their future.” He added that the immunisation campaign would be extended to cover the various communities in each of the 17 local councils.

According to him, the state government in partnership with other healthcare partners, will ensure that polio is eradicated with sustained fight against the disease.

Executive Secretary of SPHCB, represented by the Director, Community and Family Health, Muhammad Ali, reiterated the importance of vaccination against polio and other diseases.

The State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Nuhu Ningi, commended Governor Mai Mala Buni, the management and staff of the Health Ministry for their relentless effort in the promotion of healthcare delivery services.

“WHO is committed to working with the state government in promoting immunisation in the state,” he said.

MEANWHILE, there was massive turnout of women and children in rural communities across the 16 local councils of Taraba State, as Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (TSPHCDA), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), commenced the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS).

Centres visited, yesterday, in Yorro Local Council by The Guardian, which include communities in Pupule and Mica villages, witnessed large turnout of residents, who brought out their children for immunisation.

Some health workers attributed the large turnout to the aggressive sensitisation embarked on by the community leaders as well as the agency.

Earlier, the State Director of Immunisation and Disease Control, Dr. Kenneth Tjos, who said polio type one, two and three had been eliminated from the country, said the ongoing immunisation, is geared towards burying the virus from rearing its ugly head in the state and the country at large.

Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Tukura Nyigwa, who was visibly elated by the large turnout, beckoned media men in the state, to tread extra miles in using their platforms to sensitise the people on the importance of making their children available for coming immunisation exercises.