UNICEF reiterates more support to child health, as Bauchi flags-off Polio immunization campaign
By Samuel Luka,
Bauchi
As the Bauchi state government with support from UNICEF, WHO and other development partners launched another round of polio immunization campaign, parents have been enjoined to ensure that non of their child is left unimmunized.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony at Tiwun community, Bauchi local government area of the state on Friday, the Bauchi Field office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the UNICEF expressed commitment to supporting the state in the polio vaccination to ensure that every child is immunized.
The Chief of Field Office (CFO), UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique who was represented by the UNICEF Head of Social Behaviour Change (SBC) Specialist Mr Eki George, said with the cases of zero dose in some LGAs, more partners are supporting to ensure that there is total compliance during the exercise.
The UNICEF disclosed that with 13 zero dose LGAs and 7 LGAs that are compliant, the fight against polio is not over yet over, adding that the situation is a wakeup call to parents, especially fathers who gives consent to children to be vaccinated.
“We are calling on all fathers to give consent to their wives to allow their children to be vaccinated because we cannot afford to miss any child this time around”, the UNICEF said.
The State Executive Chairman of the Bauchi Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed who performed the flag off ceremony, said Bauchi state has received a total of 2.5 million doses of Novel Oral Polio vaccine(NOPV) for the exercise.
He added that the state has engaged the services of 160 monitors, including CSOs that will ensure the smooth conduct of the polio immunization exercise.
Dr. Muhammad said, during the immunization exercise, himself along with commissioner of health, Emir of Dass and UNICEF Chief of Field Office Bauchi will be on special monitoring exercise in three LGAs of Ganjuwa, Bauchi and Ningi where there is zero dose of polio immunization to ensure compliance.
He informed that in the cause of the monitoring, they will go along with the police, DSS and other security personnel to ensure compliance, adding that the exercise is not going to be like it use to be, where parents are begged to bring their children for the vaccine.
“This time around, it will be compulsory that all children must be vaccinated and anybody that refuses to cooperate will be arrested”, he said.
“So much work has been done by UNICEF, WHO and the state government that has provided counterpart funding of N8.8 million to support this exercise and other social mobilisation”, the Board chairman said.
He stated that the government is worried that the state is still having cases of non-compliance in some quarters.
“We are doing this because we don’t want to miss any child.We will also use the security in areas where there is insecurity to ensure that every child is vaccinated” he said.
In a vote of thanks, the District Head of Tirwun, Alhaji Muhammad Tirwun commended Bauchi state government, UNICEF and other partners for working to eradicate polio and other child killer diseases.
He called on all the traditional rulers to participate actively during the monitoring to ensure compliance.
The district head who refuted insinuations that the vaccine is a way of reducing population, urged the vaccination workers in his domain to report to him any resistance from any parents for immediate action.
According to him, the vaccination is aimed at boosting the immunity of children against child killer diseases.
The immunization exercise, our Correspondent reports, will commence from April 24th to 30th, 2025, which is aimed at vaccinating all children under five years old.