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BAUCHI – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with World Health Organization, Rotary Club International, Bauchi Central and other partners have commemorated this year’s World Polio Day in Bauchi State with a call on government at all levels to prioritize vaccination for all children against polio, especially in hard-to-reach areas and communities with low immunization rates as well as strengthen immunization systems to ensure every child receives essential, life-saving vaccines.
DAILY INDEPENDENT reports that Rotary club members, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, partners and members of the Polio Survivors Association took to the streets of Bauchi metropolis, amidst drumming, singing and dancing to the admiration of members of the public along the route
with their banners in order to create awareness on the need to sustain immunization and maintain the current polio free status in Bauchi State and the country at large.
The Polio Walk Awareness was undertaken from the Headquarters of the Ministry of Health, Murtala Muhammad Way, CBN Roundabout, Nassarawa Street, Education Roundabout and terminated at the Palace of the Emir of Bauchi.
Speaking earlier on the significance of the day, the Chief of Field, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique stated that despite the success recorded in the fight against Polio, 2.3 million children in Nigeria and around 22,000 children in Bauchi State have not received routine immunization (Zero dose).
According to her, Outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) continue to persist, with 4 cases of cVDPV2 (73 cases Nationally) documented in Bauchi in 2024.
The Chief of Field Office stated that government should allocate critical technical and financial resources to local efforts to swiftly address outbreaks and guarantee that children are vaccinated and Keep the polio eradication on the front burner of political discourse while leveraging innovative solutions and coordinated actions to enhance the quality of immunization campaigns.
She also called on the Bauchi Emirate Council to support the mobilization of parents and caregivers to avail their children for vaccinations and to support the resolution of non-compliance during and after campaigns,”
”The continued spread of polio serves as a crucial reminder: until we eradicate all forms of this disease, children everywhere remain at risk. We face significant challenges in this fight, but UNICEF is dedicated to working with governments and partners to protect children from polio.”
”Unfortunately, thousands of children are still missing out. The global decline in childhood immunization coverage has led to rising outbreaks, even in countries that have been polio-free for decades.”
“For over 2 decades, UNICEF has supported Bauchi state in
its Polio Eradication Initiatives and Immunization Plus Days (IPDs) campaigns. This year alone, we have supported 3 Statewide Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) campaigns and 2 targeted local OBRs in 4 LGAs with funding for vaccine logistics, social mobilization and technical assistance.”
”It is heartwarming to note that Bauchi has been free of wild polio virus since the last case in 2013. However, we are still contending with the variant form of the virus.”
”Through Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies, we are leading initiatives to increase acceptance and demand for the polio vaccine among parents and caregivers. This is the essential first step toward achieving and sustaining high vaccination coverage” She said
According to her, “The battle against polio is particularly difficult in the most
challenging environments, yet eradication is attainable. UNICEF delivers over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines each year—the largest portion of global vaccine deliveries.”
“UNICEF Nigeria working together with prominent Nigerian musicians will be launching a song today that highlights the importance of reducing number of children with zero dose.Together, we can make a difference in this fight against polio. Thank you for your commitment and support.”
She noted that Child deaths and physical disabilities that polio causes can be banished from Bauchi, Nigeria, and the world if the authorities continue commitment to stopping polio outbreaks.
In his remarks, the Word Health Organization (WHO) Coordinator in Bauchi, Dr Mustapha Mai’Iyali explained that the occasion is to celebrate the survivors of poliomyelitis the world over in order to give them a sense of belonging.
”The whole essence of Polio day is a day to raise awareness about devastating effects of the disease and not only for you to speak, but to take action and spread the message of awareness.”
“It is also about raising awareness. So that our families, our mothers, Our fathers can allow their children to receive the vaccination, so that children cannot become victims. It is also a day to celebrate for because you are our Heroes.”
”Like the people we have here, all of you are polio Heroes. You are helping us to reach families, to mobilize families, to raise awareness and to increase the need for more support. So that we can protect our children for a better future.”
“So, I call on all of us to please continue in mobilizing our families, our communities. So that we can have a healthier community, and we will have healthier children, so that we can have a brighter future. May God bless us all,” he said
Also speaking on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, the Coordinator, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on Polio said that all hands must be on deck to ensure that every child in the state got vaccinated against all of the identified child-killer diseases.
He explained that the State Government has been doing everything possible to procure the vaccines and make them readily available at the health facilities across the state.
