The Niger State government has officially launched the 2024 immunization campaign against poliomyelitis and measles.
The event, organized by the state Ministry of Primary Healthcare to mark this year's World Polio Day, took place at the Emir's Palace in Minna on Thursday. The state Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, who inaugurated the campaign, urged parents to ensure their children receive the immunizations.
He emphasized that the vaccines are free, safe, important, and highly effective. He expressed optimism that the state would achieve its goal of immunizing all children aged zero to five.
The Deputy Governor highlighted the importance of prevention over cure and acknowledged the crucial role of traditional institutions in encouraging parents to participate in the immunization program. He urged parents to take advantage of the weeklong exercise to protect their children.
He also commended the efforts of the state ministries of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare for making Niger State one of the leading states in combating polio in Nigeria.
Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dangana, the Niger State Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, described the event as a significant milestone in the state's health calendar. He noted that World Polio Day raises awareness about the global eradication of polio. Dr. Dangana pointed out that while Nigeria was certified polio-free in 2020, Afghanistan and Pakistan still report cases of the disease.
Dr. Dangana praised the commitment and resilience of health workers in Niger State, which has the largest land area with many hard-to-reach places, for their role in combating polio. He explained that the immunization exercise covers both polio and measles, with polio vaccines administered house-to-house and measles vaccines available at primary healthcare facilities across the state.
The event also featured a walk to raise public awareness about the significance of the day and the immunization campaign. The walk, which started from the popular Obasanjo Complex roundabout and ended at the Emir's Palace, included stakeholders and partners in the health sector, such as UNICEF officials and polio-affected individuals in Niger State.