Kano State has restated it commitment to eradicating the circulating polio variant in the state, before the national dateline of December 2025.
This is even as the state in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and other partners have targeted 3.9 children between the ages of zero-five years for vaccination in the second round of the polio campaign exercise.
Speaking during a media dialogue on Thursday, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Nasiru Mahmoud, revealed that despite some few challenges including missed children, community resistance and the problem of unreachable areas, the state is putting a lot in place at ensuring all stakeholders play their role effectively to achieve the goal.
He said the next round commenced from June 12 with the immunization plus days in some selected and special areas where some side attraction (pluses) are provided for children to be immunized; adding that the exercise is schedule to be flagged off from June 14-17, 2025.
Dr. Mahmoud also highlighted that the state government and partners are worried by the resurgence and high record of the disease in the state.
The director -general disclosed that the state government has directed all the local government chairmen, community and religious leaders to ensure a successful exercise in their communities, noting that, immunization prevents children from preventable diseases.
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The Chief of UNICEF, Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Farah, urged the state government to declare a state of emergency on polio, as the state has less than six months to the national polio eradication December deadline.
He therefore tasked Governor Abba Yusuf to mobilise and release the needed resources to achieve the goal, while local government chairmen should ensure they fulfil all the commitments made in Kaduna towards eradicating the disease.
Farah added that the outbreak of the disease can be achieved when all children are vaccinated, noting that the vaccines are available, safe, free and effective in preventing polio and other diseases.
He therefore sought for the support of the media to disseminate accurate information on polio, saying, their role is crucial in addressing disinformation, misinformation, rumours and myths which prevent families from accepting the vaccine.