The Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA) has strengthened its collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) through a Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) initiative to eradicate polio virus in the state.
The Executive Secretary of NAPHDA, Dr Usman Iskilu Saleh, disclosed this during a meeting with the newly appointed UNICEF Polio SBCC Consultant, Mr Samuel Sesay in Lafia, the state capital.
He explained that UNICEF deployed the consultant to support the state in adopting effective behavioural change strategies to improve vaccine uptake among children.
Dr Saleh noted that, considering the level of commitment and attention given to primary healthcare delivery by the Nasarawa State Government, the target of achieving zero polio cases in the state was attainable.
“We have documented two zero-dose cases in Lafia and Nasarawa Local Government Areas; as a result, we have declared a state of emergency in these locations. We are conducting targeted training for healthcare workers and increasing personnel deployment to ensure full compliance with vaccination programmes,” he said.
Additional Health Posts
He explained that plans had been concluded to establish additional health posts within communities to reduce challenges associated with distance.
The Executive Secretary stressed that the initiative would significantly address the difficulties faced by mothers in accessing routine immunisation services.
Dr Saleh also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for the recent recruitment of additional healthcare workers and the ongoing renovation of health facilities across the state, describing the interventions as critical to strengthening primary healthcare delivery.
The UNICEF Polio SBCC Consultant, Mr Samuel Sesay, expressed confidence that the collaboration would result in a strong and sustainable initiative capable of eradicating polio in Nasarawa State in the near future.
He added that priority would be given to programmes focused on advocacy and community engagement aimed at increasing demand for immunisation services and ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated.