Bauchi State in the north-east Nigeria and Plateau State in the north-central region have maintained their Polio Disease-free status.
Bauchi state used to be classified among states with high risk of polio in the country, but the intensified efforts by the the Ministry of Health and related health organisations have ensured that the disease was curtailed effectively.
The Incident Manager at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre in Bauchi, Dr Monsur Dada, on Sunday confirmed that the state has no confirmation case since 2013.
He revealed that the various strategies employed in eradicating polio includes routine immunisation, supplementary immunisation, surveillance and targeted mop-up campaigns.
In Plateau State, the State’s Immunisation Officer, Sani Jugu, said that Plateau State had maintain a polio free status since 2009.
He said the feat was achieved through constant surveillance, partner support programmes, concerted efforts of the Ministry of Health, routine and supplementary immunisation programmes and adequate compliance.
Jugu further identified issues of security, and pockets of refusal in some areas, as some of the challenges faced by the Health Ministry in actualising the polio free status.
