Jigawa sinks N27m into chocolate and soap for polio immunisation

Pyramid Trust observed that the state government had provided packages of soap and sweets for the immunized children. Although the packages were not big, they enticed and encouraged the children to take the immunization. The initial target was 1,003,370 children. But the state has imminised 1,119,078. According to the State Director of Primary Healthcare, Alhaji […]

Pyramid Trust observed that the state government had provided packages of soap and sweets for the immunized children. Although the packages were not big, they enticed and encouraged the children to take the immunization.

The initial target was 1,003,370 children. But the state has imminised 1,119,078. According to the State Director of Primary Healthcare, Alhaji Aminu Dan-Malam, 23 out of the 27 local governments of the state have achieved coverage of over 100 per cent while the remaining four that include Babura, Gumel, Kafin-Hausa and Kazaure covered between 93 and 98 percent.

The entire 27 local governments have missed children less than three per cent. Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Ringim emirate observed that, the factors behind this success was the involvement of religious and traditional leaders as well as the new strategy of giving a package of soap and sweet to each immunized child.

It was gathered that the state government had spent a total of N27 million on the purchase of the incentives given to the children during the exercise. The Director of Primary Healthcare, Alhaji Dan-Malam said that the exercise had paved way for the state to address other contingent diseases bedevilling the state.     

In areas like Ringim, Taura, Garki and Babura local governments in Ringim emirate, communities exhibited high level of cooperation during the exercise. Thousands of children were brought out by their parents for vaccination.

Interestingly, parents do also invite the vaccinators for a repeat exercise in order to immunize their children whenever they missed the first and or second day of the exercise.

Some of the parents, who spoke to our correspondent expressed delight over the smooth conduct of the exercise, saying they were ready to forward their children for future routine polio vaccination.

Alhaji Ali Ibrahim, told Pyramid Trust that “I have never rejected vaccinators in my house. Whenever they came for immunization, I would make sure that my children are vaccinated. I have never stopped them from vaccinating my children and I also give directives to my wives to allow the vaccinator immunize my children even in my absence.”

Another parent, Isyaku Madobi said, initially he would not allow the vaccinators to immunize his children, but later he was convinced to allow them immunize his children by one of his closest friends.

“Since our discussion with Idris on the importance of this vaccination, I have never stopped the vaccinators from immunizing my children,” said Madobi.

To ensure total eradication of polio from the state, a new strategy of vaccinating children at boarder settlements was introduced. With this introduction, communities coming into the state through its various borders with Niger Republic would not be left unimmunized.

This, according to Alhaji Dan-Malam, immunization was conducted at international, states, and local governments’ borders of Jigawa state during the four-day exercise.   

The state and the local governments, Pyramid Trust gathered, committed a total of 48.6m for the 4-day exercise. While the state government contributed N9.7 million, the 27 local governments of the state on the other hand invested the sum of N39 million.

A total of 288 senior state supervisors were engaged for the exercise with one per ward. In addition, 3,000 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) were also recruited to ensure the successful conduct of the four-day exercise.

Although the exercise had recorded tremendous success this time around, our correspondent observed that it had encountered some hitches especially with regards to the commencement of the exercise on the stipulated date.

The delay was said to be as a result of late release of funds. Investigations indicated that the delay was caused by the new banking system of e-payment.

To address this particular problem once and for all, the Directorate of Gumduma Health System is currently making efforts to establish a dedicated account meant for addressing urgent health matters. The account will be called Jigawa State Health Account.

In the past, the exercises witnessed problems, that included, among others inadequate number of staff to cover the 27 local government and poor attitude and commitment of vaccinators.

But during the conduct of the just concluded exercise, the state government through the Directorate of Gunduma Health System had deployed adequate staff to the Directorate, whom were used in the conduct of the last exercise.

The emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, who is the Jigawa state chairman of the Traditional leaders Forum on Polio Eradication hinted that traditional leaders in the state were committed towards eradicating polio in the state.

Dr. Sanusi further stated that traditional leaders would ensure that exercise of this nature record success in all parts of the state, noting that, “participating in humanitarian exercise of this nature is part of our responsibilities; hence, we will do everything possible to ensure its success throughout the state.”

The emir, who commended the state and the local governments for their tireless financial support to the exercise, however called on parents to always bring out their wards for vaccination during subsequent rounds of immunization in the state.