By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
The Kano state government has reaffirmed its commitment to support the fight against the resurgence of Polio Virus in some states of the Federation.
The State Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf made this pledge during the official launch of Polio Vaccination Exercise in Gabasawa LGA on Saturday.
Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Comr. Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, expressed concern over the resurgence of polio in 26 states, including Kano, following Nigeria’s certification as polio-free by the World Health Organization on August 25, 2020.
In a statement issued to newsmen by Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor Ibrahim Garba Shu’aibu, said Governor Abba disclosed the decision to start the campaign in Gabasawa was due to it having the highest ratio of unvaccinated children in the state, as per health reports.
The Governor revealed various national and international donors, such as WHO, UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the African Field Epidemiology Network, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Dangote Foundation, and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, have provided resources to support the fight against the Polio Virus.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, urged parents to cooperate and ensure their children receive proper vaccination.
He also announced that the Kano Primary Health Care Development Agency would begin distributing syringes for vaccination in various LGAs from the following week.
Additionally, Labaran appealed to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to supply more vaccines to Kano state, not only for under 5 children but also for over 20 million people, including pregnant women.
The Emir of Gaya, Alh. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, represented by District Head of Gabasawa, Alh. Sani Dawaki, appreciated the state government for launching the exercise in Gabasawa LGA and requested improvements in Gabasawa hospitals and an increase in the number of doctors for better health service delivery.
In response, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf assured that all hospitals in the state, including Gabasawa LGA hospital, will be improved to ensure an effective response to health issues.
