By Haruna Gimba
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has flagged-off a statewide immunisation against Celebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Yauri Local Government Area of the state.
The governor said his administration would accord priority to the exercise to ensure that its impact was felt in all parts of the state.
He appealed to households to ensure that they maintained a clean environment, good personal hygiene as well as proper ventilation.
According to him, regular environmental sanitation will ensure zero record of diseases.
Governor Bagudu commended the role played by traditional and religious leaders in the effective implementation of policies and programmes on health and education, and called for the control of outbreak of diseases.
The Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Health, Dr Fatima Bunza, said the state had recorded four deaths while 24 persons were on admission due to CSM.
She said that maintenance of clean environment and proper personal hygiene would prevent people from CSM infection, and assured that surveillance would be sustained to ensure prompt control and avoidance of spread.
Speaking at the ceremony, Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Zayyanu Abdullahi commended the state government for flagging-off of the immunization; he called for sustained campaign to enlighten people on its prevention.
He said that traditional leaders in his domain would provide prompt information to relevant authorities to prevent outbreak and spread of the diseases.
He appealed for the provision of modern refuse dumps as part of efforts to ensure environmental sanitation and advised local government councils in the state to deploy staff environmental sanitation personnel.
Coordinator of World Health Organisation (WHO) in the state, Feneeh Olaleke commended the state government for the proactive measure against the disease.
He stressed that additional vaccines would be provided to assist in the control of the disease.
