The United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Katsina State Authorities have reaffirmed their joint dedication to eradicating polio, unveiling a daring and community-driven technique forward of the Nationwide Polio Immunisation Spherical scheduled for April 24–30, 2025.
In a strategic media dialogue held in Katsina, UNICEF via its Kano Subject Workplace, rallied media professionals throughout the area to amplify public consciousness, fight vaccine hesitancy, and drive assist for routine immunisation.
Talking on the occasion, Dr. Kharan Singh, Head of Vitamin and Appearing Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Subject Workplace, careworn the significance of sustained vaccine protection.
“Polio stays a risk so long as routine immunisation protection falls under 95 per cent. The vaccine is secure, efficient, and important. We should guarantee no little one is left behind,” he stated.
Dr. Singh urged the media to take an lively function in constructing vaccine confidence and addressing misinformation, calling on journalists to accomplice with spiritual and group leaders to ship culturally delicate, fact-based messages.
Echoing UNICEF’s resolve, the Katsina State Authorities declared a shift in its vaccination technique from the normal house-to-house method to a public, group primarily based mannequin.
The transfer goals to extend transparency, scale back malpractice, and encourage group possession of the method.
“We’re dedicated to reaching each little one with sincerity and accountability,” stated Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, govt secretary of the Katsina State Main Well being Care Growth Company.
“We’ve strengthened our monitoring programs, and well being employees discovered negligent will likely be sanctioned accordingly.”
As a part of the revamped technique, the state has deployed over 3,700 unbiased screens together with retired well being professionals, lecturers, and NYSC members to make sure correct oversight throughout all 34 native authorities areas.
Katsina’s immunisation infrastructure can be receiving a lift, with 1,636 purposeful well being services geared up with educated personnel and solar-powered chilly chain programs to keep up vaccine integrity.
In her presentation, Hajia Sahura Muhammad, the state immunisation officer and GOC Immunisation Polio, supplied an summary of the state’s progress, noting that whereas strides have been made, challenges like parental reluctance and misinformation stay.
She careworn the necessity for steady engagement with communities and urged the media to stay steadfast in its function as brokers of change.
“Media assist is vital in breaking the cycle of concern and skepticism. We’d like you to inform the actual story of immunisation,” she stated.
With this united entrance, UNICEF and the Katsina State Authorities have despatched a transparent message: polio have to be and will likely be eradicated. By means of innovation, transparency, and group collaboration, they’re decided to make the virus historical past in Katsina.
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