Babura Local Government Area in Jigawa State has hosted a cross-border synchronization planning meeting ahead of the June 14, 2025, polio immunization exercise.
The session brought together key health stakeholders from neighboring states of Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina to coordinate strategies for effective vaccine delivery across border communities.
Chairman of Babura LGA, Hamisu Muhammad Garu, declared the meeting open and commended the dedication of health workers.
He reaffirmed his council’s support for immunization and public health campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of communicable diseases, particularly among children in remote areas.
Hon. Garu urged stakeholders to use the opportunity to develop unified strategies that will ensure synchronized implementation of the polio vaccination campaign across state boundaries, leaving no child unreached.
The WHO Assistant Public Health Officer for the Babura, Suletankarkar, and Yankwashi cluster, Dr. Sabiu Ali, outlined the objectives of the meeting.
He said the discussions focused on reviewing the outcomes of previous campaigns, assessing preparedness levels, and formulating joint action points for the upcoming round.
District Head of Babura, Sarkin Bai Ringim Alhaji Muhammad Nata’ala Mustapha, also addressed participants, emphasizing the importance of inter-LGA collaboration.
He called for efficient information sharing among health officials to improve disease surveillance and response in the region.
Representatives from WHO, including a border health consultant from Katsina State, attended the meeting alongside officials from 12 local government areas across the three states.
These included Dutsi, Kankiya, Baure, and Zango from Katsina; Tsanyawa, Kunchi, Danbatta, and Makoda from Kano; and Yankwashi, Babura, Kazaure, Roni, and Gwiwa from Jigawa.
The meeting, therefore, renewed commitments by stakeholders to ensure the June immunization campaign reaches every eligible child, particularly in border communities vulnerable to polio transmission.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
