Kano maintains 32 months polio free status, increases immunization targets to 3.5m

As part of efforts to strengthen immunization exercise against polio in Kano towards ensuring that no child was left unimmunized, the State Government has increased the number of its usual target children for the exercise from 3.2m to over 3.5 million.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, who disclosed this during the flag off ceremony held in Garun Malam Local Government Area of the State, said the move was to sustain the present position of the State, having maintained polio free status in the last 32 months.

The Commissioner noted that the choice of Garun Malam for the flag off was necessitated owing to the fact that four children were missed during the last IPDs, adding that considering the priority attention accorded to the exercise by the State Government and other stakeholders, the huge success recorded so far would be sustained.

Dr Kabiru Getso, assured that all the required logistics were adequately mobilised for the exercise, adding that enough vaccines were provided as well as the counter-fund from the 44 local government areas to ensure full implementation of the Polio Immunisation across the state.

Meanwhile, Karaye, Rogo, Gezawa, Kura and Dawakin Kudu among other Local Government Areas where the influx of Fulani migrants usually disrupt the immunization exercise, received boost during the just concluded round following the pre-IPDs intervention meetings held with the Nomad Associations across the 44 LGAs, where how to capture children of the migrants from other neighbouring states was strategized to stem the spread of the virus.

On his part, District Head of Doguwa of Doguwa Local Government Area in Kano State, Alhaji Aliyu Harazumi, while monitoring the Immunization Plus Days in some wards, pledged continuous support of traditional rulers in the fight against polio. He said polio eradication was a collective responsibility and urged stakeholders to play their role effectively to stamp out the disease.