Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus in the state through partnerships with the Federal Government and key stakeholders.Â
The Governor also pledged to collaborate with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Aliko Dangote Foundation to address challenges in combating the virus.
During a courtesy visit by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and representatives from the two foundations at the Government House in Kano, the Governor emphasized the importance of partnerships in improving healthcare outcomes.
“Our administration is committed to improving healthcare delivery and addressing challenges such as polio, maternal mortality, and newborn mortality,” he said.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s efforts to revive counterpart funding for routine immunization programs, which had been neglected by the previous government. “We have restored funding to close the zero-dose gap and will continue investing in the primary healthcare system,” he added.
He also promised to intensify immunization programs to reach children who were previously missed, strengthen healthcare worker capacity, and improve vaccine supply chain management. “These are critical steps toward achieving our overall goals,” he said.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate commended the Kano State Government for its healthcare investments but raised concerns about the resurgence of vaccine-derived poliovirus and the fake finger-marking of children during immunization campaigns. “These issues threaten the progress made over the last decade,” Pate warned.
He urged the state to ensure proper selection and monitoring of immunization teams while involving traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the campaign. “The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Kano with vaccine supplies, emergency transportation, and free treatment for pregnant mothers,” Pate assured.
Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, recalled the organisations long-standing partnership with Kano State, which began in 2012.
“We are now back to fight the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, 10 years after we recorded the last case of wild poliovirus in Kano,” he said.
