Dangote, Gates Commit To Polio Eradication

The Dangote Foundation, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have reaffirmed commitment to sustain an agreement with Kano State government in the fight against polio.

They both reiterated their commitment via Skype video teleconference during a mid-year review meeting on strengthening strategic routine immunisation held at the Government House in Kano.

Dangote and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kano State government on strategic eradication of polio mellitus in Kano, a tripartite agreement meant to run between 2012 and 2015 but further extended to 2016.

According to Global Polio Eradication Initiative reports, Kano accounted for six cases of wild polio virus reported in the country in 2014.

Dangote commended Kano State government for the progress recorded in the eradication of the virus. He also advocated a sustained collaboration with traditional leaders. Bill Gates, who spoke via Skype video, however commended government initiative to manage the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, Governor Abdullah Umar Ganduje commended the partnership of the two richest men in the eradication of the scourge. Ganduje lamented the dwindling financial constraint as major impediment. He stated his determination to sustain the routine immunisation at the end of the MoU.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim Getso, stated that Kano has attained 90 per cent in terms of vaccine coverage and above average on quality of services.

“When you look at the coverage rate in the state, we are really doing very well, particularly if you consider the 2016 coverage rate using administrative data rate. We have attained 90 per cent and even exceeded the national target of 80 per cent,” he said.

Getso said Kano had no single case of polio mellitus in the last 24 months, a giant stride he attributed to strong political will of Governor Ganduje.