The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Jigawa government to declare a state of emergency on polio to address low immunisation coverage among children.
The UN agency said the call was imperative to strengthen immunisation programmes in the state.
UNICEF Chief Field Office Kano, Mr Rahma Farrah stated this at a media dialogue on Polio and Routine Immunisation, on Thursday in Dutse.
Represented by Serekeberehan SeyoumDeres, Health Manager, UNICEF, Farrah stressed the need for the state government to ensure prompt payment of counterpart fund to polio and immunisation activities.
He also urged the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), to provide funds to facilitate smooth conduct of the next round polio vaccination in their respective areas.
“We task all chairmen to supervise the campaign along with their LGA councils as well as participate in the pre-implementation evening review meetings, and engage in non compliance resolution,” he said.
While urging community and religious leaders to mobilise participation in the exercise, Farrah tasked the media to create awareness on the importance of polio and routine immunisation in children.
According to Farrah, the media is a critical stakeholder in the immunisation campaign and child rights advocacy.
Also, the Project Manager, Jigawa State Emergency Routine Immunisation Coordination Centre, Shehu Ibrahim said that rural – urban drift was one of the challenges affecting effective immunisation coverage in the state.
“Jigawa state also experience a serious issue on social mobilisation, yet with a combine effort of all stakeholders, the challenge can become a history,” he said.
He assured that the state government would release its counterpart fund to enhance mobilisation and improve the situation.
NAN
