Abdulraheem Aodu
15 February 2008
Kaduna — The Kaduna State Action Committee on Immunisation (SACI) says it has set machineries in motion to achieve the May 2008 deadline for total eradication of Wild Polio Virus (WVP) from the state.
SACI noted that though seven states across the country have recorded new cases of WPV in 2008, none has occurred in Kaduna State, adding that this was achieved through increased efforts by the state government, SACI, the World Heath Organisation (WHO) and other stakeholders at eradicating the child disease by May 29th, 2008.
SACI Secretary, Malam Abubakar Lawal who disclosed this in his address Wednesday in Zaria during a sensitization meeting with headmasters/Qur'anic teachers and PTA chairmen in high risk local government areas of Kaduna State like Zaria, Sabon Gari, Makarfi, Kudan and Soba noted that with compliance by every family, the May target is achievable.
"We have been able to stop the wild polio virus from spreading in Kaduna State.
Though seven states in Nigeria namely Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Ogun, FCT, Kano and Kogi recorded new cases between January and now, we can say that no new cases have been recorded in Kaduna State apart from the seven old cases that we have in Kubau (2), Giwa (2), Sabon Gari (2) and Makarfi (1) Local Government Areas.
"This is an improvement over last year when we recorded seven cases and two years ago when we had over 20 cases. This achievement is through the efforts of all stakeholders in the state but we still have some problems which could make it difficult for us to achieve the target."
He stated reasons why some family heads and people in the high risk areas do not want to be immunized; "Some say it was targeted towards a particular religion, some have no particular reason, some believe getting infrastructural facilities like schools and roads are their priorities, not immunisation, some believe it is harmful to their children, some say it is too often, others cite children's ill health for missing the vaccination, while others decry the approach of immunisation officials and some give political reasons.
Speaking on the efforts made to tackle the problems in order to meet the set target, Lawal said it was the essence of the meeting, as the participants would help to take the issue to the doorsteps of those involved.
"We called for this sensitisation meeting for the teachers and PTA chairmen in all the high risk local government areas to help resolve the non-compliance to polio vaccine by going from house to house and also to form development committees.
Malam Lawal however called on other stakeholders in the neighbouring states and Nigeria as a whole to take the issue serious and eradicate it in their states so that it would not spread to Kaduna State.
Speaking while declaring the meeting open, Wife of Kaduna State Governor Hajia Amina Sambo called on women in the state to prevail on their husbands to allow their children take the vaccine.
Hajia Sambo who expressed her displeasure on the widespread of the polio disease in the North due to misinformation said; "Women have greater roles to play in eradicating polio in the society because they are closer to the children at that age. They should be able to persuade their husbands to allow their children be immunised.
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