We’re on course to kick polio out of Kano- Commissioner

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Kano State Commissioner of Health, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, has given an insight on the state government’s efforts to decimate the transmission of poliomyelitis virus in the state.
He said for 39 months, there had not been a single case of Wild Polio Virus across the 44 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the 2017 Volunteer Community Mobilisers (VCMs) Convention and Launching of Health Interventions by the state Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, held at the State House, yesterday, Getso said the success was recorded through the efforts of all stakeholders.
According to him, the feat was achieved through strong social mobilization structures, which were put in place to ensure effective polio communication activities at all levels.
He added that, the ministry of health had engaged thousands of community-based volunteers, noting that their efforts had tremendously improved community mobilization strategies in addressing non compliance cases of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
He said that UNICEF, the leading partner in the area of community mobilization, in collaboration with the ministry of health, had engaged 3,500 VCMs in resolving non compliance cases to OPV, as well as mobilized parents and caregivers on child survival programmes.
“With the support and commitment of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, the support of the Kano Emirate Council and religious leaders, the unflinching support of the Local Government chairmen and most importantly you, the foot soldiers of this fight, our quest to chase polio out of Kano State is achievable.
“Some VCMs have been selected along with some key stakeholders to receive an award today for their outstanding performance. These efforts are part of our success to polio eradication in Kano, and by extension, in Nigeria,” he said
“Therefore, the contribution of VCMs network in polio eradication is something worthy of emulation. To recognize and reward your efforts and commitments, this convention was organised and will be used to honour those whose contribution stands out amongst you, although, all of you deserve commendation. Indeed you have chosen a worthy course, “ he commended the VCMs
Getso also advocated the need for intensive community mobilization in a bid to achieve total eradication of polio in Kano and Nigeria as a whole by 2019, noting that all hands must be on deck to achieve the feat.