Polio: Kano to continue immunisation to sustain gains

The Kano State Government has declared its resolve to continue with the routine immunisation against the wild polio virus despite the “Africa polio free status” declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in August.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, who disclosed this at an event to mark this year’s World Polio Day, said the decision was aimed at sustaining the gains recorded against the disease.

He said the state had been polio-free for over 72 months even before the official declaration by WHO, and emphasised the need to sustain the momentum by intensifying public sensitisation against the disease.

“The World Health Assembly in 1988, pledged to make polio eradication a priority when the virus was still present in 125 countries with over 350, 000 cases. Through united action, by the governments and partners, the incidence of wild polio cases has since dropped by over 99 per cent. By 2017 there were only three countries left in the world reporting cases of wild polio virus,” he explained.

While commending other development partners and health workers for their sacrifices, Tsanyawa reiterated the commitment of the government to sustain the gains recorded by ensuring that all eligible children under the age of five are immunised.