The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has commended the traditional rulers across the Northern parts of Nigeria for their active roles in the fight against polio in the country.
UNICEF Nigeria representative Cristian Munduate made the commendation in Bauchi on Wednesday during the quarterly review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee on, PHC delivery.
Munduate, who was represented by Shamina Sharmin, said, “I applaud our royal fathers for being a significant part of writing the unique story of Nigeria in the fight to eradicate the wild poliovirus and now, in the critical war against outbreaks.
“The vital roles the traditional leaders are playing in the polio response, routine immunization, and primary health care cannot be underestimated.
“This is especially when it comes to raising awareness and encouraging the use of healthcare services which is especially important for vulnerable populations like women and children.
“Combating polio requires a collaborative effort involving the government agencies, international organizations, local communities, and other stakeholders.”
She noted that UNICEF could not make a difference alone calling for more collaborations with all stakeholders to overcome the challenges, stop the nomadic movement, low routine immunization coverage, and ultimately achieve zero doses and a polio-free Nigeria.
The UNICEF boss further called on the traditional leaders to continue to do more to strengthen routine immunization and kick polio completely out of Nigeria.
“UNICEF is committed and dedicated to implementing approaches in close coordination with other stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, and National Primary Health Care Development Agencies to effectively affect vaccination-related behaviour change in individuals and communities,” she said.
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad III, who was also at the occasion thanked the development partners like the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, WHO, UNICEF, and Rotary, among others.
“We appreciate your contributions. We can’t do it alone without your support and that of the state governors in the North in particular.
“We will continue to work for the people of Nigeria and the people of the North in general.”
He also appreciated Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for hosting the meeting.
However, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate explained that President Bola Tinubu was clear in his vision for the country to be better than it was.
He said “To be prosperous into the future and at the core of that prosperity, good health begets hope because, without health, there is no hope.
“It is the consequences of that that he unveiled a specific transformational agenda just a year ago, and all the 36 governors of this country signed a compact, and 17 development partners also signed a compact with the federal government.
“This is to focus on improving the health of our population and the governor of Bauchi did that and we are joining hands with all the 36 state governors and FCT to expand the services that will reach our population.”
According to him, 8,800 primary healthcare facilities are now being reached regularly with quarterly disbursement of resources through the basic care provision fund.
He said about 4,000 primary healthcare centres all over Nigeria were in the process of being revitalised with the support of the federal government.
Speaking, Governor Bala Mohammed appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto for the invaluable roles he has been playing in primary healthcare development.
He said his government would continue to recognize and cherish the role he played in mobilizing traditional leaders to create awareness in the community.
Mohammed also commended all the development partners for their continued support toward the improvement of the health conditions of the people of Nigeria.
Umar Sani @ThePUNCH
