The Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has expressed optimism that the polio virus would be totally intercepted and eradicated in Nigeria by the end of the year. This is even as he urged other northern States, governments to work harder to achieve the target.
Aliyu, who spoke at the weekend at the flag off of the second round of Immunisation plus Days IPDs at Kpagungu primary health care centre, said that effort to kick out polio was part of the promotion and protection of the right of the child to healthy life. The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Hon Ahmed Ibeto, said that stressed that it was an offence in the State for any parent or caregiver to refuse the child immunisation.
He said that Nigeria must do everything possible to join polio endemic nations like India that was now declared polio free and said that until India was declared polio free the endemic nations used to be Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nigeria.
Aliyu said, “We cannot continue to be classified among polio- virus transmission nations, which until recently included Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. Today India is no longer on that list because they have interrupted the transmission.
“The Northern states must work extremely hard to reverse the unfortunate incidents of the 62 polio cases reported in eight States of Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Yobe, Borno and Sokoto States in 2011 and 12 new cases reported in Katsina, Sokoto Yobe, Jigawa , Borno and Kaduna States this year.”
The Governor said that it was pertinent to check the virus from crossing over to Niger State that has not recorded any of the virus since 2009. This was just as he said that to check cross border transmission, the State inaugurated a task force January this year to maintain the zero level.
Meanwhile the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHDA has posted supervisors and monitors to the State to assess and monitor the one week long IPDs and ensure adequate coverage.
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