The task force on eradication of polio in Yobe state has intensified its routine immunization campaign to low performing emirates that share border with Bauchi state.
This campaign took place days after Bauchi discovered type 2 polio virus in the state.
Chairman of the task force, who is also the deputy governor of Yobe State, Engr Abubakar D Ali said the two emirates of Fika and Gudi are lagging in accepting the polio vaccine.
He regretted that parents apathy and negligence towards routine immunization has been a visible threat in eradicating polio from the area.
“Only 53 per cent of children in Fika are immunized hence the need for the traditional rulers to ensure full compliance by their subjects.”
“We must all improve in the concerted effort of ensuring that children within the specified age are immunized against not only polio but the other child killer diseases,” he said.
He advised the traditional rulers to adopt the concept of child registration at birth with a view to track those who missed or did not complete their routine immunization.
The commissioner of health, Dr Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, said the immunization team is always going round to ensure that eligible children are administered the oral vaccine.
“Government is investing heavily in this exercise, it’s you (traditional rulers) that would ensure adequate community base strategy to check the dangers of the 6 child killer diseases in the state,” he said.
The executive secretary, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Lawan Gana, revealed that a strain of polio virus have been found in environmental samples collected from faeces and gutters hence the need for proactive measure to ensure full compliance.
He noted that the organization would continue to live above board, as state government in collaboration Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote foundations are investing heavily for polio free situation in Yobe.
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