By Umar Sani
The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development (SFPD), in collaboration with the Bauchi State Primary Health Development Board has created awareness for traditional rulers and health workers across the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State.
Speaking during the awareness in Alkaleri and Katagum Local Government Area, the State Focal Person of the foundation, Bala Usman Nalado emphasised the roles of traditional rulers on successful implementation of this year’s polio vaccination campaign for children.
He explained that traditional rulers, health workers and stakeholders are a critical component in achieving a successful vaccination.
Nalado revealed that “In its bid to ensure campaign effectiveness, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) introduced a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Polio Team Selection as part of the efforts to strengthen immunization programs and address concerns around the circulating vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (CVPV2).
“The revised SOP outlines a strategic shift to control, prevent, and ultimately eliminate CVPV2 in Northern Nigeria.”
According to him, it aims to reorganise polio campaign strategies to improve effectiveness and interrupt transmission.
He reiterated that traditional leaders as critical stakeholders are mandated to endorse and submit to WHO at LGA level list of “Polio Team Members” after collating nominations from key stakeholders in their domain.
Albarka Radio Bauchi reports that the collaboration is currently being hosted in 12 states including Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Abuja and Niger.