Kwara state schedules Polio immunisation on July 22

Dr Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency, says the state will commence the Second Round Oral Polio Immunisation on July 22 to 25. Elelu stated this during her presentation at the 2023 Stakeholders meeting of the State Task Force on Immunisation and Primary Health Care.

She disclosed that the inauguration of the second round of vaccination would take place at the Emir of Lafiagi Palace in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara, which she said is the first to take place in Kwara North.

According to her, the rationale behind taking the inauguration to Kwara North is to strengthen traditional leaders’ engagement in routine vaccinations for children in communities. Elelu observed that a lot of achievement has been recorded in the area of reducing childhood killer diseases through immunisation.

She however expressed the need to sustain the success recorded on Routine Immunisation (RI) and OutBreak Response (OBR) across the 16 local government areas of the state. Elelu noted that Kwara emerged best among the North Central states in Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge PHC-LCF.

“Kwara passed with about 80 per cent across the country and we will continue to ensure that every child and mother have quality care.

“The state will ensure consistent improvement in the trajectory of achieving quality immunisation status.

“A lot of mothers in Kwara are now attended to in the hospitals and by skilled birth attendants,” she said.

She attributed the success to the commitment of the stakeholders especially the State Task Force on immunisation. Elelu underscored the need for more commitment from the state government and the need to curb insecurity across Kwara communities, noting however that the challenge of insecurity is nationwide. She tasked LGCs to be fully committed to strengthening routine immunisation in respective communities across the state.

Mr Kayode Alabi, the state Deputy Governor, reiterated the resolve of the state government to ensure quality healthcare for the people. He commended the State Task Force on Immunisation and enjoined them not to rest on their oars but to continue promoting the health of the citizenry.

Also speaking, Dr Abubakar Ayinla, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, explained that the meeting always afforded the opportunity for different partners and agencies to deliberate on improving routine immunisation in the state. He underscored the need to ensure all hands on deck in improving child and maternal healthcare, and that all children received the necessary vaccines to survive.