Gombe LG adopts community-driven approach to end polio
Story by Saadatu MAINA
Hajara Leman Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State has taken measures to address barriers to vaccination by engaging community members to achieve positive results.
Chairman of the council, Dr Ahmed Wali, stated this at Malam-Sidi, headquarters of the local government area on Monday during the launch of Integrated Measles campaign to commemorate the 2024 World Polio Day (WPD).
The global observance day is annually marked on Oct. 24 to call for action to intensify efforts to end all forms of polio.
The African region has remained steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding children from the devastating effects of the poliovirus. This is a journey marked by the determination of countless individuals across the continent, governments, health workers and communities to the goal of a region free of all forms of polio.
The 2024 edition of the commemoration has “History, Importance & Why Drops Are Necessary” as its theme.
Wali, therefore, emphasised the need for trusted community members to raise awareness, debunk misconceptions, and increase vaccination acceptance across all demographics.
The chairman said, “the approach aims to utilise individuals who have in-depth understanding of the community’s cultural and social landscape.
“We’ve seen people respond positively to vaccination when they are informed by people they trust within their communities.
“This targeted strategy comes in response to past hesitance and rumours that threatened immunisation efforts in local government areas.”
READ ALSO: Yobe State records new polio cases, flags off vaccination campaign
He acknowledged the successful mobilisation efforts by the Primary Health Care Department, noting a significant reduction in resistance to vaccination.
He added that “with local influencers now reinforcing efforts, local government areas can achieve full immunisation coverage and prevent outbreaks, particularly with the recent resurgence of polio in a neighbouring areas.”
He appealed to residents to discard rumours about the vaccination programme and to support Kwami’s mission of becoming a polio-free local government area.
“With reliable, authentic data gathered by people within the community, we’re confident in our strategy to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases and protect our children’s future,” he said.
The Primary Health Care Coordinator for Kwami, Malam Umar Musa, highlighted the importance of a community-driven approach, especially as Kwami had been rated as a “zero-dose” local government area in the last two to three years due to low immunisation coverage among newborns.
He, however, said that during the seven days campaign, no fewer than 36,600 children from 0–59 months were targeted, explaining that
“the children will receive outbreak response polio vaccine, measles vaccine, among other childhood vaccines.
“By engaging trusted locals, we’re not only improving vaccine access but also breaking barriers of mistrust and misinformation.”
Alhaji Amini Abdullahi, the Senior District Head of Kwami, emphasised the importance of supporting government efforts and encouraged the community to accept vaccinations.
He said vaccinations are essential to protecting the health of children and the entire community, urging everyone to play their part in eradicating preventable diseases.
The campaign was also launched in all 11 area councils, with the chairmen supporting the government’s efforts to end the polio scourge, in collaboration with development partners like Rotary International, and UNICEF.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
