By Hajara Usman
In a collaborative effort to mark World Polio Day, Rotary International and the Gombe State Government have launched a comprehensive polio vaccination drive across all 11 local government areas (LGAs) of Gombe State.
The campaign, which began yesterday, saw the active involvement of all 11 LGA chairpersons.
The campaign was initiated in response to a directive from the National Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication, calling for an Outbreak Response (OBR) in Gombe to prevent further spread of the disease.
According to recent analyses by UNICEF, a resurgence of polio has been observed in conflict-affected areas, with outbreaks reported in 15 out of 21 affected countries.
These findings highlight an urgent need for renewed focus, especially given the decline in global childhood immunisation rates, even in previously polio-free nations such as Nigeria.
Following the recent detection of polio cases in Dukku, Gombe State Government and its partners initiated a four-day vaccination campaign to protect children across the state.
During the campaign’s launch, Dr Ahmed Wali, Chairman of Kwami LGA, praised Rotary for its ongoing support. He cautioned against any attempts to hinder the campaign, emphasising, “We will not take it lightly with those who resist because we will not allow them to put the lives of other children in danger.”
Dr Wali highlighted the importance of involving respected community members to raise awareness, correct misinformation, and encourage vaccination uptake. This approach seeks to employ individuals with a deep understanding of community cultural and social dynamics, which Dr Wali believes will help dispel lingering fears about vaccination. “We’ve seen people respond positively when informed by trusted community members,” he said.
This community-focused strategy addresses past hesitancies and rumours that had posed challenges to immunisation efforts critical for preventing disease outbreaks.
Dr Wali commended the mobilisation efforts by the Primary Health Care Department, noting a marked decrease in vaccine resistance, largely due to local influencers now championing the cause. With these efforts, the LGA is aiming for full immunisation coverage and hopes to prevent outbreaks, particularly in light of the recent resurgence of polio in a nearby LGA.
Dr Wali appealed to all residents to disregard rumours about the vaccination programme and support Kwami’s vision of becoming a polio-free LGA. “With reliable, authentic data from within the community, we’re confident in our strategy to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases and protect our children’s future,” he added.
Mal.Umar Musa, the Primary Health Care Coordinator for Kwami, also stressed the value of a community-driven approach, especially since Kwami was previously identified as a “zero-dose” LGA in 2022 due to low immunisation coverage among newborns.
Musa expressed gratitude to Rotary and other partners for their relentless efforts in eradicating polio nationwide, pledging to ensure that “all areas, even the remotest parts, are reached.”
Musa added that with the support of the current administration, Kwami LGA is working hard to improve its immunisation status. A seven-day outbreak response will integrate measles vaccines with routine immunisations, aiming to reach 36,600 children across the LGA.
“By engaging trusted locals, we’re not only improving vaccine access but also breaking down barriers of mistrust and misinformation,” he added.
