GANDUJE RE-AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO POLIO IMMUNIZATION

GANDUJE RE-AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO POLIO IMMUNIZATION

 

Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has promised to ensure prompt release of funds and efficient tracking of routine immunization activities in the state as part of efforts to achieve total Polio eradication in the state.  

 

The governor made the assertion during the 2015 Mid-year review (video conference), on the tripartite MOU between Kano state government, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dangote Foundation, to strengthen Routine Immunization in the state, at the Government House, Kano. 

 

He said that at the inception of the present administration in the state in May 2015, there were some challenges which have since been addressed, promising that the government would maintain high level of support and engagement in routine immunization to ensure a healthy society.

 

“We have started birth tracking and record system for routine immunization and by next week, we shall start training about 1, 963 Traditional Birth Attendants to help in strengthening provision of quality integrated maternal and child health in the state”, Governor Ganduje said. 

 

The governor stated that he was impressed by the commitment of the state Emirate Council to eradicating the paralyzing disease, noting that only last week, the Emir, in his presence, warned that any traditional leader in his domain whose community refused to cooperate with health officials for immunization would be summarily dethroned. 

 

Governor Ganduje stated that besides improving existing health facilities, his administration recently embarked upon the construction of gutters in parts of the state capital as part of efforts to consolidate the health care delivery system in Kano.

 

Giving overview of Routine Immunization in Kano for mid 2015, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim Getso, explained that even though the government has made remarkable improvements in the provision of facilities and implementation of immunization programme strategies, as testified to by development partners, focus would be centered on special planning for prevention of importation of Polio by Internally Displaced Persons and nomads.

 

He said among other things that his Ministry would prioritize improvement of quality of fixed and outreach immunization sessions, operationalize Routine Immunization supervision standards, step up community linkages and strengthen financial management processes to consolidate the past achievements.

 

On his part, Mr. Bill Gates, who spoke from his office in the US, congratulated the government and people of Kano and the development partners on achieving one year without any recorded case of polio in the Nigeria, pointing out that efforts must be geared towards maintaining the record. He noted that the tripartite arrangement with Kano state government, on routine immunization, has become a model for other states in the country. 

 

While promising that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will extend its contribution to the tripartite agreement for another one year, Mr. Gates emphasized the need for the state government to ensure timely release of its counterpart contribution to the arrangement as well as strengthen the accountability mechanisms in the immunization process.

 

Also speaking, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by the C.E.O of Dangote Foundation, Dr. Zouera Youssoufou, said the results from Polio immunization activities in Kano are very encouraging and stressed the need for the partners involved in the scheme to recognize and give incentives to those who played critical roles in attaining the success.

 

In his contribution, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad said although a significant milestone has been achieved in the anti Polio war in the country, development partners should not reduce funding of the campaign until WHO declares Nigeria Polio – free in 2017. He also tasked the government of Kano state to improve the quality of its supervision of immunization activities for better results.

Two weeks ago, the country celebrated one year without a single case of Polio and if no cases are reported in the following weeks and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms previously affected areas are free of the virus, Nigeria is expected to be removed from the list of countries where polio is endemic.

Ameen K. Yassar

Press Secretary to the 

Executive Governor of Kano state,