By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
As part of it’s commitment to improved health care this year, the Sokoto State Government has assured that it is working towards ending the circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) in the state.
Giving this assurance during a meeting with the President, Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at Sokoto Government House, the governor, Ahmed Aliyu said they have adopted new strategies aimed at interrupting the transmission of Poliovirus Type 2 by 2026.
These strategies according to the governor include intensified vaccination campaigns, enhanced disease surveillance, as well as strengthened community engagement to address vaccine hesitancy, and sustained routine immunisation coverage which will improve health outcomes.
Pursuant to achieving this target, the governor said they have released its Routine Immunisation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) counterpart fund for the year 2024 and reaffirmed its commitment to the timely payment of the fund to achieve the desired objectives.
“We have procured all the necessary equipment, including deep freezers, generators, and motorcycles, to ensure successful and hitch-free immunisation coverage across the state,” the Governor said.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Director General Media and Publicity, said the governor also appealed for the extension of the Primary Health Care (PHC) MoU to consolidate existing gains just as he requested additional support towards reducing maternal and infant mortality in the state.
“In the last two years, we have recruited 1,500 nurses and midwives to ensure adequate manpower in our health facilities, including PHCs across the state,”
The governor further hinted that the state government has implemented a policy of mandatory two-year rural posting for health workers, including medical doctors, to PHCs in order to ensure improved and equitable service delivery.
While appreciating all development partners for their unwavering support towards promoting a healthy Sokoto State, the governor also advocated for the sustenance of partnerships and collaboration to achieve improved healthcare delivery in the state.
The meeting had in attendance, Dr Chris Elias, President, Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr Ahmed Iya of the Dangote Foundation; Dr Uche, Programme Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nigeria; officials of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), among others.
