From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
No fewer than three million children are set to be immunised against the poliovirus across the 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA), Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, disclosed this during a one-day media dialogue organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the state government, ahead of the commemoration of World Immunisation Day.
According to Dr. Yahaya, the immunisation campaign will span four days, from April 26 to 29, and will be followed by a two-day mop-up exercise to reach any missed children.
He explained that the state government would engage 3,700 independent monitors, including teachers and academicians, to ensure the vaccines are administered according to guidelines.
“Efforts are already underway to raise awareness ahead of the campaign through media channels and other platforms to encourage parents to bring their children for vaccination,” he said.
Dr. Yahaya also noted that part of the awareness campaign will focus on addressing misconceptions some parents hold about the vaccine. He added that traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders will be involved in the process.
He stated that Katsina currently has 1,336 primary healthcare facilities offering routine immunisation services, with 158 of them recently revitalised and equipped with essential facilities, including ambulances. He also revealed plans to revitalise an additional 102 facilities this year.
Also speaking at the event, UNICEF Nutrition Manager for Kano, Dr. Karanveer Singh, expressed concern over the recent detection of a polio case in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He stressed the need for intensified efforts to eliminate the virus completely and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state government in the fight against polio.
During the media dialogue, Dr. Suleiman G. Haladu presented a paper on the overview of polio eradication in Katsina, while Hajiya Sahura Mohammed delivered a presentation on the current status of polio in the state.
