In collaboration with the Gombe State Government, Rotary has marked World Polio Day across all 11 local government areas of Gombe State including awareness campaigns and monitoring compliance with polio vaccination efforts.
The campaign follows a directive from the National Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication, which called for an Outbreak Response (OBR) in Gombe to curb any spread of the disease.
Recent UNICEF analyses have heightened the campaign’s urgency, revealing a resurgence of polio in conflict-affected regions, with 15 of 21 countries facing outbreaks.
It showed a global decline in childhood immunization rates, even in formerly polio-free countries like Nigeria, which has contributed to the reemergence of cases.
In Gombe, a few cases of polio were recently identified in Dukku and in response, the state government and its partners launched a four-day vaccination campaign aimed at protecting children statewide.
Yamaltu Deba’s Local Immunization Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Aliyu Deba, noted that routine sampling across the state identified cases of Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus, leading to Gombe’s classification as a high-risk state.
Mr. Aliyu explained that, “The campaign was an integrated polio and measles vaccination campaign for children aged 0–59 months. Although some communities initially resisted the vaccines, traditional rulers intervened to promote acceptance.”
He expressed gratitude for Rotary’s support, acknowledging its contributions to polio eradication and assistance for those affected by the disease.
The campaign, set for November 2–5, 2024, aims to reach all areas of the state to ensure every child is immunized against polio.
The Chairman of Yamaltu Deba LGA, Mr. Abubakar Hassan Difa, launched the campaign with thanks to the communities for embracing immunizations, which has helped keep the LGA polio-free.
Mr. Difa urged continued cooperation and instructed traditional rulers to report any cases of vaccine refusal, emphasizing that the government would not allow individual actions to endanger others.
He reminded residents that prevention is better than cure, encouraging families to take advantage of the free vaccine to prevent illness rather than face treatment costs later.
Mrs. Hadiza Usman Shinga, Coordinator of Primary Healthcare in Yamaltu Deba, acknowledged isolated cases of vaccine hesitancy but urged families to protect their children from polio, which causes permanent disability.
In a heartfelt appeal to parents, Mr. Bala Jibrin, Chairman of People Living with Disabilities, and Maryam Adamu, both polio survivors, urged communities to prevent their children from facing similar struggles by ensuring complete vaccination against polio and other childhood diseases
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