Sokoto Moves to Eliminate Vaccine-Derived Polio by 2026

Sokoto Moves to Eliminate Vaccine-Derived Polio by 2026


From Shehu M Wamakko

The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) in the state, with a target of interrupting transmission by 2026.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu gave the assurance on Wednesday during a meeting with the President, Global Development of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, held at the Government House, Sokoto.
The governor said the state had adopted new strategies to tackle the disease, including intensified vaccination campaigns, improved disease surveillance, strengthened community engagement to address vaccine hesitancy, and sustained routine immunisation coverage.

According to him, the state government has released its Routine Immunisation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) counterpart fund for 2024 and remains committed to the timely payment of the fund to ensure the success of immunisation programmes.

“We have procured all the necessary equipment, including deep freezers, generators and motorcycles, to ensure smooth and effective immunisation coverage across the state,” Aliyu said.

The governor also appealed for the extension of the Primary Health Care (PHC) MoU to consolidate existing gains and requested additional support to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the state.

He disclosed that the government had recruited 1,500 nurses and midwives over the past two years to strengthen manpower in health facilities, particularly primary healthcare centres across the state.

Aliyu further revealed that the state had introduced a policy of mandatory two-year rural posting for health workers, including medical doctors, to ensure improved and equitable healthcare delivery.

He expressed appreciation to development partners for their continued support, stressing that sustained collaboration remained key to achieving better health outcomes in Sokoto State.

The meeting called for the strengthening of partnerships among stakeholders to enhance healthcare delivery in the state.

Those in attendance included Dr Chris Elias, President, Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr Ahmed Iya of the Dangote Foundation; Dr Uche, Programme Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nigeria; and officials of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), among others.

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