The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development organized an interface session bringing together religious leaders, health experts, and other stakeholders to close the gap in the fight against polio in Kano State.
The event, held in collaboration with the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, aimed to foster discussions and provide religious leaders with accurate information to dispel myths surrounding vaccines.
Speaking at the session held at Ni’ima Guest Palace, Kano, on Saturday, the Director General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Nasir Mahmoud, commended the foundation’s efforts in complementing government initiatives.
Represented by Dr. Abdullahi Sa’ad Ahmad, the Incident Manager of the Kano Emergency Operation Center, the DG reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with organizations to safeguard public health by leveraging resources and expertise to strengthen primary healthcare.
Dr. Ahmad Ado Abdullahi, the Kano State Coordinator of the Foundation, explained that the conference aimed to sensitize religious leaders on the importance of routine immunization, with a focus on eradicating polio and other preventable diseases among children under five and the broader community.
He emphasized the foundation’s dedication to promoting public health and social development through strategic partnerships and highlighted ongoing activities such as community outreach and capacity-building programs.
During the one-day sensitization workshop, health experts, academics, and Islamic and Christian scholars shared insights from various perspectives, contributing to the success of the event.
Religious leaders in attendance acknowledged their crucial role in promoting vaccine acceptance and pledged their support for the immunization drive.
Experts and health partners, including representatives from UNICEF, WHO, and ECCOH, stressed the importance of dispelling misconceptions and building trust within communities to boost vaccination rates.
Dr. Bala Muhammad of Bayero University, Kano, delivered a key presentation on countering misinformation and disinformation to enhance social mobilization and improve vaccine uptake.
The session concluded with a collective commitment to combat preventable diseases, with a focus on leveraging the influence of religious leaders to promote public health initiatives.
