…As Shongom LG Chair Calls For Unified Efforts Against Child Killer Diseases
From Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Rotary Club International has celebrated this year’s World Polio Day across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State simultaneously by bringing together various stakeholders to strengthen strategies towards zero-polio Gombe State and Nigeria.
During the celebration in Ɓoh, the headquarters of Shongom Local Government Area, the Executive Chairperson Shongom Local Government Council Hajiya Fatima Binta Bello, called for concerted efforts among stakeholders against polio myelitis, measles and other child killer diseases in the local government area.
The chairperson made the call when she officially Flagged-off the second phase campaign against child killer diseases at the local government’s secretariat.
She particularly encouraged traditional, religious and community leaders to sensitize their subjects on the importance of getting rid of the diseases for healthier upcoming generations.
Binta Bello harps on parents and guardians to avail their children and wards for the vaccination exercise coming forth from Saturday.
While commending the state government’s efforts and partners particularly Rotary International, WHO, GAVI and LIO on their commitments in ensuring polio-free Gombe State and Nigeria, the chairperson maintained that the vaccines are free, safe and reliable.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organization in the state Isa Maina who also spoke on behalf of Rotary and other partners, said the resurgence of new variant of the Polio Virus from Sokoto State and recently discovered in Dukku Local Government informed the new measure to ensure Nigeria is entirely free of the disease.
While appreciating the commitments of Gombe State and Shongom Local Governments, Maina stressed the resolution of the partners in attaining free-polio generation soon.
In her welcome address, the Shongom Local Government Primary Healthcare Coordinator Yulum Salisu, said the exercise is meant to cover children from 0-59 months against polio, 9-59 months against measles as well as other routine immunizations for children from 0-23 months of age.
She said enough number of vaccinators have been trained to cover the entire LGA, assuring of their commitments to ensuring every child received the drops in Shongom.
While moving the vote of thanks, the District Head of Shongom Mr Ɗahiru Yusuf Alfayo, reiterated the commitments and support of the traditional institution in ensuring the success of the exercise.
He warned parents and guardians against preventing health workers from accessing their children for the vaccination exercise.
During the flag-off exercise, some children were vaccinated by the local government chairperson, the district head of Shongom amongst others, a development that signified the official commencement of the second phase campaign.
