UNICEF urges solution to Nomadic movement, insecurity to defeat polio virus circulation
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has observed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that polio virus circulation in Nigeria is adequately addressed.
Speaking during the quarterly meeting of Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee (NTLC) on Primary Healthcare Delivery at the government house Bauchi Wednesday, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said the fight against polio virus in Nigeria is facing unique challenges due to Nomadic movement, insecurity and low routine immunization coverage.
Represented by Health Manager, UNICEF Nigeria, Shamina Sharmin, the Country Representative stressed that insecurity in conflict affected areas disrupts vaccination campaigns and compromises the ability of vaccination to reach vulnerable population.
Munduate explained that addressing security challenges is crucial in the delivery of vaccines’ national service, adding that low routine immunization coverage in some areas contributes to the persistence of polio.
She emphasized that Routine Immunization programme is vital for building population immunity and reducing the risk of polio virus transmission.
Munduate further asserted that combating polio requires collaborative effort involving the government agencies, international organization, local communities and other stakeholders.
“We cannot do it alone, we have to come together hands in hand to overcome the challenges of Nomadic movement insecurity and low routine immunization coverage and ultimately achieve a zero dose and polio free Nigeria”, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria said.
She added that the threat of polio virus as long as it exist anywhere in the world, underscores the importance of global collaboration.
While thanking the traditional leaders for being a significant part of writing the unique story of Nigeria in the fight to eradicate the wild polio virus and the ongoing war against outbreaks, observed that the vital roles they are playing in the polio response, routine immunization, and primary health care cannot be underestimated.
Cristian Munduate applauded the traditional leaders for raising awareness and encouraging the use of healthcare services, especially by vulnerable populations such as the Children and women.
The Country Representative of the UNICEF encouraged the Traditional Leaders to continue to do more to strengthen routine immunization and kick polio completely out of Nigeria.
According to her, UNICEF is committed and dedicated to implementing approaches in close coordination with other stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agencies to effectively effect vaccination-related behaviour change in individuals and communities.
On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is highly committed to ensuring improve and quality healthcare delivery.
“To be prosperous into the future and at the core of that prosperity, good health begets hope because, without health, there is no hope”, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate said.