MINNA – The Niger State government has spent N805 million from 2007 to 2014 to eradicate polio in the state, its deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto said.
Ibeto, who disclosed this at a news briefing to mark the 2014 World Polio Day usually marked every Oct. 24 said “as a result of government commitment today our state is free from polio’’.
“As a result in 2013, an independent panel by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the prize of the most improved state in Routine Immunisation in the federation to the state.’’
He said that the structures government put in place to eradicate polio in the state included the law establishing the State Primary Health Care Development Agency which made it a crime to refuse immunisation by parents to their children.
The deputy governor who is also the chairman of the state task force on polio eradication and routine immunisation said offenders were liable to a fine of N50, 000 or two years imprisonment or both.
He said that the establishment and operations of a functional State Primary Health Care Development Agency by government contributed to eradication of polio in the state.
Ibeto said that the amended law provided for establishment of mobile courts to ensure compliance with immunisation programmes.
The passage of the Child Right law which also protects the rights of children including the right to immunisation services was another measure put in place by government in this drive.
He said that other measures put in place were approval and release of budgeted funds to improve immunisation services annually.
The government similarly initiated quarterly stakeholders meeting with government functionaries with emirs and local government areas campaigns on polio eradication and routine immunisation.
The deputy governor said the task force embarked on advocacy visit to the eight emirates in the state for engagement and participation of religious and traditional leaders in polio eradication initiatives and primary health care activities.
He said that government also put up media jingles on television and radio, published information, education and communication material in local languages to sensitise the people on the need to immunise their children. (NAN)
