Sokoto immunises 1m children against measles

The Sokoto state government has immunised one million children against measles and other killer diseases within the last three months.

Imam Imam, spokesman of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of the state, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

The statement said the government is making efforts to improve quality, efficacy and storage of vaccines and provide cold stores in rural areas to ensure children at the grassroots level get vaccinated on time.

Imam quoted Shehu Kakale, commissioner for health as saying the renewed commitment by the government has resulted in reaching many remote locations for the administering of vaccines on children.

According to Imam, stakeholders in the health sector have commended the government and adopted the ‘Tambuwal Initiative’ in enhancing the work of health field officers in their localities.

“The Tambuwal Initiative came about after the governor introduced new measures to boost immunisation and healthcare activities,” the statement read.

“These measures include setting aside two hours of his time every month to chair the meeting of the steering committee on immunisation in the state, directing top government functionaries, led by the deputy governor, to chair the bi-monthly meeting on polio.

“Also, the initiative ensures that the governor, through the ministry for local government, takes charge of the payment of entitlements of officials for routine immunisation (RI) and immunisation plus day (IPDs), personally taking charge of engagement with all non-compliant communities and assigning all local government areas to cabinet members to ensure hands-on approach in dealing with immunisation and other health issues.”

Kakale added cases of parents being skeptical about having their children immunised, have reduced drastically, due to enlightenment campaigns and community dialogue embarked upon by the state government in collaboration with religious and traditional leaders.