Kano Government Mobilises Ward Committees to End Polio

Hauwa Mustapha, Kano

The Kano State Government has mobilised 484 Ward Development Committees (WDCs) across the 44 local government areas to intensify efforts toward eradicating polio and strengthening routine immunisation in the state.

Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), Dr Salisu Ibrahim Muhammad, who stated this, reaffirmed the commitment of the state government and its partners to ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated.

He was speaking at a recent Polio engagement, organised in collaboration with development partners, held at the Northwest University, and attended by representatives of the Kano Emirate Council, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and polio survivors.

Represented by the Director of Immunisation and Disease Control, Dr Ahmad Tijjani, the DG said, “The state has strengthened healthcare delivery through the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres (PHCs), provision of free delivery and caesarean section kits, improved routine immunisation and disease surveillance, and the upgrade of general hospitals across the state.

“Kano is working round the clock to eradicate diphtheria, malnutrition, and other childhood killer diseases. We urge parents and caregivers to always present their children for routine immunisation and other health interventions to build a healthier society,” he said.

Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kano, Mr Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, commended the state government for its sustained leadership in the fight against polio, describing the progress as “A result of strong community ownership and effective collaboration.

“Polio eradication is within reach. With the right actions today, we can make it the second human disease ever eradicated and protect children for generations to come,” he said.

Mr Farah urged the government and partners to sustain vaccination campaigns, strengthen immunisation systems, and maintain surveillance for early detection of possible outbreaks.

He also hailed the Ward Development Committees for their grassroots mobilisation efforts, saying, “Your commitment is helping protect our children and secure a healthy, hopeful tomorrow. The fight is not over; we must continue to act.”

World Health Organization (WHO) Kano State Coordinator, Dr Mayana Abubakar, commended the state for sustaining its leadership role in polio eradication efforts.

For his part, Chairman of the Kano Ward Development Committees, Bashir Adamu Jigirya, pledged continued support for the state’s health initiatives, noting that the committees have been instrumental in sustaining Kano’s progress toward a polio-free status.

The event also featured awards to UNICEF, WHO, SOLINA, AFENET, and other partners for their contributions to healthcare advancement in the state.