UNICEF Urges Kano state Government to Declare State of Emergency on Polio
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Kano State government to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunization. Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, made this appeal at a media dialogue on polio and routine immunization in Kano on Thursday.
Mr farah emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to eradicate polio in Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.
During the engagement he emphasis the role of media in disseminating accurate information on polio and mobilizing families to accept vaccines.
Mr farah however urged the media to focus attention on the challenge of non-release, delayed release, or lack of utilization of government counterpart funding for polio vaccination campaigns and routine immunization programs.
UNICEF highlighted the need for special focus on high-risk Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State, including Warawa, Bunkure, Kano Municipal, and Nassarawa LGAs.
They appealed to LGA Chairmen in Kano State to conduct flag-offs of the upcoming polio vaccination campaign, supervise the campaign, and participate in pre-implementation and evening review meetings to access the campaign
The organization reiterated its commitment to working with the Kano State government and other stakeholders to eradicate polio and improve children’s survival. The organization emphasized that vaccines are available, safe, and effective, and that a future free from vaccine-preventable diseases like polio is possible with collective effort.