Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed has called on mothers and care-givers to make their under-five children available for vaccination as often as required.
Speaking at the flag off of Polio Walk tagged “End Polio Now Mega Rally” to mark the World Polio Day held at the Government House, Ilorin in conjunction with Rotary International, Governor Ahmed promised to intensify efforts towards sustaining the gains of polio eradication in the state and Nigeria in general.
Dr Ahmed reiterated his commitment to intensifying support and commitment to routine immunisation which he said is the backbone of all Vaccine Preventable Diseases, stressing the need to remain committed to funding immunisation and responding to surveillance.
He commended the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and Rotary Club for their roles in polio intervention and immunisation in the state. The Governor urged the people to shun superstitious beliefs and unfolded suspicion of health programmes.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Raufu Ayinla noted that polio and other childhood diseases were preventable with proper vaccinations and encouraged mothers and care-givers to always make their children available for immunisation.
In her remarks, the representative of UNICEF, Hajia Aminah Hassan-Bagudu enjoined relevant agencies to sustain their campaign and intervention towards making the world free of polio.
Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Ibrahim Idris explained that the commitment towards total eradication of polio had been on since twenty years ago across the world, pointing out that efforts would not be spared to getting rid off the endemic in the world.
Earlier, the Representative of Rotary Club, Mr Rick Oladele thanked the state government for its tremendous support towards polio intervention and promised that the club would not relent until Nigeria is finally certified polio free in 2017.
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