By ISHAQ ZAKI

The Zamfara Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with development partners, has mobilised 1,997 vaccination teams for the November integrated polio campaign across the state’s Local Government Areas.

Dr. Murtala Salahudeen, Incident Manager of the state Polio Emergency Operations Centre, disclosed this on Saturday in Gusau during a media dialogue organised to sensitise journalists to the upcoming integrated polio campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was convened by the State Primary Health Care Board with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund to strengthen communication around the scheduled immunisation activities.

According to Salahudeen, the mobilised teams will vaccinate children against measles, rubella and several other childhood killer diseases, ensuring comprehensive coverage across identified settlements and hard-to-reach communities throughout Zamfara State.

He explained that each of the 1,997 vaccination teams consisted of approximately 6,000 personnel, including vaccinators, recorders, supervisors and influential community leaders supporting mobilisation efforts.

Salahudeen noted that all personnel received training on vaccination protocols and interpersonal communication skills to enhance outreach effectiveness, ensuring every eligible child in the state successfully received lifesaving routine immunisation vaccines.

He further disclosed that the November campaign aimed to reach approximately 1.2 million children with essential immunisation doses, targeting both urban and rural communities across the entire state.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Primary Health Care Board, Dr Hussaini Yakubu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and improving access to quality immunisation services statewide.

Yakubu emphasised Gov. Dauda Lawal’s strong dedication to ensuring every eligible child in Zamfara received complete vaccination against preventable diseases, noting intensified community sensitisation and enlightenment efforts across the state.

He stated that traditional, religious and community leaders had been effectively engaged to support mobilisation activities, encouraging caregivers to embrace vaccination and reject misinformation that discouraged routine immunisation participation.

The Executive Secretary acknowledged partners including UNICEF, WHO, e-Health, Sultan Foundation, Solina and Chigagari Foundation for their continued contributions toward ensuring successful immunisation campaigns throughout Zamfara State.

Yakubu also commended media organisations for sustained support in public enlightenment, noting their essential role in promoting awareness on immunisation campaigns against polio and other preventable childhood diseases. (NAN)

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