By Asmau Ahmad
The Bauchi Government on Thursday said the state had recorded zero wild polio case in the last 20 months. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Malami, disclosed this at the flag-off of the newly introduced Inactivated Polio Vaccine in the state. He said the state had entered the last stage of polio campaign with the introduction of the new polio vaccine. Malami attributed the feat to the efforts and commitment of the sector stakeholders and parents who ensured their children were immunized during the house-to-house and routine immunizations.
According to him, the targets were children at the age of 14 weeks, adding that this was the last stage for the polio campaign.
“The state has witnessed 20 months without a case of polio virus, as such the next stage is the administration of the inactive vaccine, which is an injectable, for children of 14 weeks,’’ the commissioner said. He said the state would soon focus on another childhood killer disease in order to ensure the eradication of such diseases in the state.
Malami said in the next four weeks, the new Bauchi Specialist Hospital and Maternity for women and children would be commissioned to further decongest other health facilities in the state. Also speaking, the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Othman Bilyaminu, commended parents for their support to the polio eradication project. Bilyaminu said their support was responsible for the state witnessing such a long period without a suspected case.
“I am delighted to be part of this success, 20 months without a case of polio in Bauchi, and to also witness the introduction of the inactivated polio vaccine for our children.
“This indicates that polio will soon become history in our state,’’ the monarch said.
