The Zamfara State Primary Health Care Board (ZSPHCB), in partnership with UNICEF and various development organizations, has kicked off a Ramadan immunisation campaign designated to shield children from vaccine-preventable illnesses, with a focus on polio.
The launch took place at the Primary Health Centre in Kwata, Gusau, graced by the state Commissioner for Health, Nafisa Muhammad Maradun.
In attendance were traditional leaders, the Executive Secretary of the ZSPHCB, representatives from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), as well as directors and officials from organizations involved in immunisation and primary healthcare programs.
Addressing the audience, Maradun emphasized the significance of the campaign as a vital initiative to motivate parents and guardians to vaccinate their children against polio and other preventable diseases.
She indicated that the four-day campaign is aimed at over 1.3 million children under five years old throughout the state, with approximately 1,997 vaccination teams set up for house-to-house visits, fixed locations, and outreach immunisation efforts.
The teams will administer the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV) and provide vaccinated children with noodles while also equipping vaccination teams with sugar packs to aid their missions.
Maradun reiterated the administration's commitment under Dauda Lawal to enhance child health and bolster primary healthcare services in the region.
She acknowledged ongoing challenges such as insecurity and malnutrition but reassured that the government is dedicated to improving health metrics through increased investment in primary healthcare, infrastructure development under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, and enhanced collaboration with development partners.
The commissioner encouraged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive vaccinations, highlighting the critical importance of protecting youngsters from polio for the state's future.
Additionally, Husaini Yakubu Anka, the Executive Secretary of the board, urged parents throughout the state to seize this opportunity and have all qualifying children vaccinated.
Samaila Kwangwami, the Zamfara State chairman of ALGON, expressed the commitment of the 14 local government chairmen to back health initiatives, particularly immunisation efforts.
The state coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that this campaign is part of intensified actions to tackle the recent polio outbreak and eliminate virus transmission in the Kebbi–Sokoto–Zamfara region, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
Set to commence on Saturday, the Ramadan immunisation campaign will be carried out across all 14 local government areas in Zamfara, targeting children eligible for life-saving vaccinations.
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