UNICEF and stakeholders in Jigawa State have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to sustain polio eradication efforts and improve immunisation coverage across the state.
The renewed pledge was made during a stakeholders’ review meeting of the June polio vaccination campaign, convened by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Jigawa State Government, media practitioners, and community leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Shehu Sambo, noted that although the last vaccination exercise recorded considerable success, significant challenges still persist.
Dr. Sambo, who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Muhammad Umar, highlighted instances of vaccine rejection by some parents, as well as cases where certain communities used the exercise to press home demands for government projects.
He stressed that the polio vaccine is critical in protecting children from preventable deaths and lifelong disabilities, warning against its rejection or politicization.
“There are clear improvements, but more public enlightenment and coordinated efforts are required to ensure that every parent understands the life-saving importance of immunisation,” he said.
He pointed out that, the state government has undertaken extensive upgrades of healthcare infrastructure, including the renovation of hundreds of health facilities and the establishment of a reliable cold chain system to ensure safe and timely vaccine distribution.
Also speaking, the Health Communication Officer, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, revealed that over 2.2 million children were successfully vaccinated during the June campaign.
On behalf of the media, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Muhammad Zangina Kura, pledged increased support in public awareness campaigns.
Zangina assured that journalists would continue to play an active role in mobilising communities, generating demand, and providing feedback to inform more effective health policies.
Radio Nigeria reports that, the representative of United Nations Children’s Fund reiterated its commitment to supporting the state through technical assistance and strategic interventions aimed at achieving the complete and sustainable eradication of polio in Jigawa State and Nigeria at large.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
