1 Million Children Immunized Against Child-Killer Diseases In Sokoto

Sokoto State government has immunised one million children against measles and other child-killer diseases across the state in the last three months. In its bid to improve quality, efficacy and storage of vaccines, the government said it would provide cold stores in rural areas to ensure children at the grass-roots level accessed vaccinated on time.

According to the state commissioner of Health, Dr. Shehu Kakale, renewed commitment by the government had resulted in reaching many remote locations for the administering of vaccines on children. However, stakeholders in the health sector have commended Sokoto government over the ‘Tambuwal Initiative’ in enhancing the work of health field officers in their localities.

“The Tambuwal Initiative came about after the Governor introduced new measures to boost immunisation and healthcare activities. These measures include setting aside two hours of his time every month to chair the meeting of the steering committee on immunisation in the state, directing top government functionaries, led by the Deputy Governor, to chair the bi-monthly meeting on polio,”’he said.

Kakale said even though there are cases of parents sceptical about having their children immunised, the number has reduced drastically, due to enlightenment campaigns and community dialogue embarked upon by the state government in collaboration with religious and traditional leaders.