Kogi State Government says it has recorded 85% cumulative immunization coverage, using pentavalent vaccine.
The disclosure was made at a meeting with Council Chairmen of Local Government, Traditional rulers, Religious leaders and development partners on polio eradication and sensitization of stakeholders on the mandate of the newly established Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, held at the Glass House, Government House.
The expanded meeting organized to review the first quarter activities on routine immunization and polio eradication scheduled under Nigerian Governor Forum immunization challenge, Capt. Idris Wada, the State Governor, disclosed is a demonstrable commitment to the realization of the objectives of the newly established Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
The State Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, commended the feat achieved in the eradication of polio by the State, said it has ensured the safety of children, born and unborn as well as in safeguarding their future.
Capt. Wada assured of his administration to ensuring that the State remains polio free, stressed that the State will fight the polio virus to the last point, for the State to remain permanently polio free.
While noting that the establishment of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, is aimed at bringing Primary Healthcare under one roof for effective co-ordination and to facilitate the provision of Primary Healthcare delivery services at the grassroots, called on parents to always present their children under five years old for routine administration of the oral polio vaccine during immunization plus days.
The State Governor commended the Council Chairmen and development partners for committing financial and mental resources to eradicating wild polio virus transmission in the State.
He enjoined traditional and religious leaders to continue to facilitate and mobilize their communities for acceptance and participation in all government healthcare programmes, urged Council Chairmen to commit more funds to the implementation of Primary Healthcare Programmes to enable mothers and children benefit maximally from the planned activities.
The Governor thanked all national and international agencies for their consistent assistance to the State Government in its efforts to ensure that polio is finally pushed out of the State.
Earlier in his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji S.O. Aliu, said the main aim of establishing the KSPHCDA was to improve the health indices of the population, particularly mothers and children in the State.
Alh. Aliu, praised the State Government for its support to polio eradication, listed completion of EU Prime donated cold store
building and installation of cold room equipments amongst several other efforts to makes the State polio free since 2009.
The engagement of Traditional and Religious leaders, Alh. Aliu explained has assisted greatly in the near zero rejection of oral
polio vaccine during polio immunization campaigns and other immunization activities in their communities.
In a presentation, establishment of SPHCDA, mandate, prospects and challenges by Dr Akogo Simon, Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, he solicited more support from the Local Government Areas, and commended the support the present administration has placed towards making the State free from polio.
Also in another presentation, polio eradication in Kogi State, journey so far by Mallam Shaibu Amedu, State immunization officer, he expressed happiness that the State as at February, 2014 is still polio free, however called for the quick resolution of the strike action between health workers at the Local Government level to enable the immunization of the second quarter of the year commence.
In his remarks, the Ejeh of Ankpa, HRH Yakubu Amodu, promised the continuous support of traditional rulers to the fight against polio.
