The Gombe State Governor , Muhammadu Yahaya, on Friday officially launched three critical public health campaign-National Immunisation Plus Days, African Vaccination Week, and World Malaria Day in a unified event aimed at boosting healthcare delivery and disease prevention across the state.
The event, held in Kuri, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, was flagged off by the Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau, on behalf of Governor Yahaya, who was out on an official duties.
The Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman State Task Force on immunisation expressed the governor’s gratitude and commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Gombe citizens.
In the message, the Deputy Governor highlighted the importance of the simultaneous campaigns, noting the unique opportunity they present for a united effort in protecting children and vulnerable populations.
On National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs), he stressed that immunisation remains one of the most effective health interventions, particularly in light of recent setbacks such as the detection of five isolates of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2).
“Every child missed is a potential case,” he warned, urging increased community participation.
Speaking on the African Vaccination Week (AVW), with the theme “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” the governor emphasised the need to rebuild health systems disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He called on religious and traditional leaders to help address sociocultural barriers to vaccination, especially among the “socially hard-to-reach” groups.
For World Malaria Day (WMD), with the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” he described malaria as a disease deadlier than COVID-19 in terms of mortality rates in vulnerable populations.
He urged citizens to make use of insecticide-treated nets, improve sanitation, and ensure early treatment. “Malaria cannot outwit human knowledge. Its persistence is baffling,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, and the acting Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Maryam Abubakar, reiterated that while polio has no cure, effective vaccines exist and remain safe. They emphasised the role of traditional rulers in community education and programme success.
The choice of Kuri as the flag-off location was based on data showing failure in vaccine coverage, particularly among zero-dose children, a situation they described as “dangerous for humanity.”
Traditional leaders, including the Emir of Yamaltu Alh . Abubakar Aliyu (who represented the Mai Kaltungo Engr Saleh Mohammed) and the Emir of Deba, Alh Ahmad Usman Mohammed thanked the governor, deputy governor, development partners, and health workers. They pledged their full support to ensure that every eligible individual receives the necessary vaccines.
Goodwill messages came from the World Bank’s Country Representative, Dr Walter Kizagi,and the Chairman State Governing Council, Dr Ahmed Ya’u Kashere, and UNICEF Representative commending the efforts of the state government and reaffirming their commitment towards improving healthcare delivery for the betterment of humanity.
The Chairmen, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, Alh Abubakar Hassan Deba welcomed the dignitaries to the occasion and appreciated the governor for the concern he has for the people of Yamaltu Deba LGA and Gombe state at large.
Jack.A.Tasha, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity (Deputy Governor’s Office).
