The Zamfara government on Saturday inaugurated the second round of the polio outbreak response campaign, promising to sustain the existing efforts to maintain its polio-free status.

Zamfara has been having a zero-polio status since October 2024.

Speaking while inaugurating the campaign at the palace of the Emir of Gusau, the executive secretary of the Zamfara Primary Healthcare Board, Hussaini Yakubu, described traditional rulers as key stakeholders to the success of the polio immunisation campaign.

Mr Yakubu stated that the four-day campaign was expected to cover over 9,000 settlements across the 147 wards of the 14 local government areas of the state.

He reaffirmed Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration’s commitment to the fight against polio and promoting primary healthcare services in the state.

“As we all know, there are a lot of diseases affecting our children that can be tackled through polio immunisation.

“We are using this medium to solicit support from our royal fathers and religious leaders,” he said.

Mr Yakubu solicited more support from the media to extend the messages to the public, especially at the grassroots level.

Also speaking, the chief of UNICEF Sokoto field office, Isa Ibrahim,
said the campaign was aimed at ensuring that no child would be left behind in the polio vaccination.

“I appreciate the Zamfara government, partners and all other stakeholders for the remarkable progress that has been made in the fight against polio in the state.

“However, we must acknowledge that significant challenges remain, demanding our immediate and focused attention to ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim said UNICEF was committed to continuing to support the Zamfara government in maintaining its polio-free status.

According to him, to defeat poliovirus, 95 per cent of all children below the age of five needed to receive the oral vaccine in at least three consecutive polio vaccination rounds.

In a remark, the Emir of Gusau, Ibrahim Bello, assured the support of the traditional and religious leaders to ensure the success of the exercise.

The event was attended by officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO), other partners, religious and community leaders, women’s groups and media representatives.

(NAN)