The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has stated that his administration is committed to eradicating polio by June 2025 and reducing the high rate of maternal mortality within the same timeframe.
He emphasized that addressing these two critical health challenges is a priority for his government, and they will pursue this goal to its logical conclusion.
The governor made these remarks during the opening of an orientation training organized by the State Ministry of Health for health personnel, 44 local government chairmen, and members of the Kano Emirate. The event took place at Hotel Seventeen in Kaduna over the weekend.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, he highlighted the attendance of government officials, members of the State House of Assembly, and the Kano Emirate, which underscores their seriousness in eradicating polio and tackling the issue of maternal mortality.
In his address, the Deputy Governor, who also chairs the State Immunization Committee, urged health personnel, local government officials, and traditional leaders to take the immunization efforts in their areas seriously.
He challenged health workers to be dedicated and prepared to focus their efforts on achieving the goals of eradicating polio and reducing maternal mortality.
“Any health worker who is not committed will be replaced without delay with a more serious and committed staff.
He stressed further that the state government under the leadership of Abba Yusuf is determined to make the state free of polio by June 2025. And we will join the campaign in making it free at the end of the year.
Earlier, the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) Kano State, representative, Mr Rahma Rahood Muhammad said there has been a steady increase in the number of polio cases in the state between 2022 to 2025.
Muhammad noted “Children of Kano state are still falling prey to polio virus and many too are yet to receive any routine vaccines.
“Vaccines are one of the most effective and cost-saving public intervention in history. Yet nearly 250,000 children in Kano state are zero dosed( yet to collect vaccine).
“I will give you four example, in 2022, we say 6 reported cases of polio virus, in 2023, this case increased to 27, in 2024, the number now stands at 29 cases. This is almost 5 times increase since 2020.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
