Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kano State in the fight against polio.
During the flag-off of the 2024 polio response outbreak campaign (OBR5) in Tudun Wada Local Government Area, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, emphasized the organization’s dedication to eradicating polio in the state.
Dr. Mulombo, represented by WHO Kano State Coordinator Dr. Mayana Sanusi Abubakar, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for creating a conducive environment for WHO and other partners to provide technical and financial support to combat the polio outbreak.
To ensure the successful implementation of the campaign, WHO deployed a team of 484 field volunteers, 684 enhanced independent monitors, 45 local government facilitators, 19 assistant public health officers, and 6 management support team members.
This team is tasked with providing technical support to the vaccination team and ensuring that no child is missed.
Mulombo reiterated that polio viruses have no hiding place in Kano, regardless of urban or rural location.
WHO is committed to providing technical supervision to ensure all eligible children receive the necessary doses of the nOPV2 vaccine.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, who chairs the State Task Force on Polio Immunization, highlighted the state government’s priority on polio eradication.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, Comrade Gwarzo emphasized the critical nature of the campaign, particularly in Tudun Wada, which has recorded the highest number of polio cases in the state this year.
The Deputy Governor stressed the importance of immunization in preventing polio, a deadly disease that can cause paralysis and even death.
He assured that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government and development partners, is working tirelessly to protect children from polio.
