The Bauchi state government has expressed its determination to eradicate polio in the state with the procurement of 2.6 million doses of polio vaccines for the polio plus immunization exercise in the state.
Governor Isa Yuguda gave the directive while flagging off the immunization polio plus day in the state capital, with distribution of antigens as well as vaccination to the rural areas of the state.
The occasion also marks the commencement of the child health week intervention for under five children and pregnant mothers.
Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries in the world where the crippling disease still exists.
Two cases were recorded recently in the state, and this has become a source of concern to the government particularly the state’s primary health care development agency in tackling the relapse issue.
As the government strengthens its routine immunization exercise to ensure that all eligible children receive antigens needed to protect them from the virus, traditional rulers were fully involved with the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu and Governor Isa Yuguda leading the pack to immunize the children.
According to the executive secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Dr Nisser Umar, the agency has perfected plans for target audience as well as sensitising mothers for the exercise.