By Umayya Abubakar Njidda
The Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Suleiman Saidu Bashir, has emphasized the critical need for parents, traditional rulers, and all stakeholders to give maximum support and cooperation to the upcoming polio immunization exercise scheduled to take place across the 226 political wards of Adamawa State.
Speaking during a roundtable meeting with journalists held at the agency’s boardroom in Yola, Dr. Bashir reiterated that the polio vaccine is free, safe, and effective. He urged parents and guardians to prioritize the health of their children by ensuring that no child is left out of the vaccination exercise.
To ensure the successful implementation of the campaign, Dr. Bashir disclosed that various teams—comprising vaccinators, recorders, community mobilizers, mop-up teams, and surveillance officers—have been adequately trained.
He further revealed that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supplied 1,440,043 doses of the polio vaccine for children aged 0 to 5 years across the state.
Also speaking at the meeting, UNICEF Health Officer from the Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Oluseyi Olosunde, explained that the Federal Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health, has directed all states to embark on a nationwide polio immunization campaign to ensure that all children within the targeted age group are reached.
Mr. Olosunde noted that although Nigeria was certified polio-free in 2020—with Adamawa State also attaining polio-free status—continued preventive measures are essential to sustain this achievement.
He commended the Adamawa State Government for its efforts, particularly in providing counterpart funding and supporting UNICEF in the areas of vaccine supply, local government cold storage facilities, and technical assistance.