UNICEF Holds Media Dialogue To Amplify Call to Eradicate Polio In North-East
UNICEF Holds Media Dialogue To Amplify Call to Eradicate Polio In North-East
By Alhaji Yusuf,Damaturu
In a concerted effort to eliminate polio from Nigeria’s North East, a coalition of health officials, UNICEF, and media practitioners has launched a final offensive, targeting immunization gaps and combating misinformation through robust community engagement and accurate reporting.
The push was underscored at a one-day media dialogue in Damaturu, themed: “Reporting Polio, covering Gaps and Milestones.”
The event, organized by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) in collaboration with UNICEF, aimed to equip journalists with the latest information and strategies to keep the eradication campaign in the public eye.
The urgency of the mission was highlighted by alarming data presented by Dr. Umar Chiromari of the Yobe State Primary Health Care Board (PHCB) where he revealed that the state had recorded a total of 8 poliovirus cases, comprising 7 cVDPV2 and 1 cVDPV3, detected across five Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“Findings indicate ongoing transmission, immunity gaps, and a need for strengthened surveillance,”said Dr Umar ,pointing to the critical need for the current campaign.
Dr. Ernest Okoli, UNICEF’s Team Lead in Yobe State,said the immunization drive, which is actively underway this November, targets all children from zero to
59 months.
He emphasized the campaign’s comprehensive nature during a community visit to Nayi Nawa in Damaturu.
“The campaign aims to immunize every eligible child, particularly those who have been missed, to reduce child morbidity and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases,” Dr. Okoli said.
He explained that the intensive exercise, lasting about a week with additional mop-up days, is designed to “leave no child behind” and is an opportunity to deliver other crucial health services in an integrated manner, especially in hard-to-reach rural areas.
Acknowledging the challenge of vaccine hesitancy, Dr. Okoli attributed it largely to misconception and misinformation. The strategy to counter this involves a multi-faceted approach.
“We try to address this by working with traditional rulers, influencers, health workers, and community engagement platforms,” he said, reaffirming the commitment to ensure vaccines are available “to the last mile.”
On her part,Ester Salihu, the Ward Facility Manager for the Nayi-Nawa Primary Health Care Centre, reported significant compliance in her area.
“In our health facility, we don’t have many challenges because women are coming out to receive immunization at any time,” she said.
For harder-to-reach families,she revealed,her team conducts proactive outreach, immunizing children at designated community spots.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders, cementing the media’s role as an essential partner in achieving a polio-free Nigeria through consistent and compelling reporting.
