By Abubakar Abdullahi
The Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency has urged nursing mothers to continue vaccinating their children to sustain the state’s progress in eradicating polio.
Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, the Executive Secretary of the agency, made the appeal while commemorating World Polio Day, an annual event organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness about polio eradication efforts.
Shuaibu highlighted the significant strides Gombe State has made in eliminating polio across all 11 Local Government Areas. He underscored the importance of routine immunization and encouraged communities to recognize the vital role vaccines play in protecting children from the disease.
According to him, Gombe State has not recorded a case of polio in over 11 years, a milestone he attributed to the tireless efforts of healthcare workers, government bodies at both state and federal levels, international partners, as well as local communities and religious leaders.
However, Shuaibu cautioned that the fight against polio is not yet over. He called for continued efforts to strengthen immunisation systems, improve the quality of vaccination campaigns, ensure accurate reporting, and further engage traditional and religious leaders, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
He urged the people of Gombe State to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of polio immediately. Dr. Shuaibu also expressed his gratitude to development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and others for their ongoing support in bolstering the state’s immunization efforts.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working closely with partners to ensure Gombe remains polio-free, as part of broader efforts to eradicate the disease from Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Faruk Umar, the WHO Coordinator for Gombe State, emphasized the global significance of World Polio Day, which aims to encourage action toward the complete eradication of polio.
Umar noted that Nigeria and the entire African continent have been polio-free for about four to five years, although the disease remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He highlighted that around 3,000 cases of polio are reported annually worldwide, but fewer than 50 cases have been recorded in 2024.
He encouraged parents to ensure their children, particularly those under the age of five, receive the free vaccines available at health centres across the state. Umar also announced that a new round of polio vaccinations would commence in Gombe’s 11 LGAs in the coming weeks.
The event featured various activities aimed at raising awareness of the progress made in combating polio and the ongoing efforts to prevent its return. Polio survivors Abubakar Yusuf, and Aishatu Adamu, expressed their appreciation for WHO’s efforts in raising awareness and providing support.
The theme for this year’s World Polio Day was “Vaccines work for all.”
