UNICEF, Rotary, Bauchi Govt Partner On Polio Eradication

Stakeholders in Bauchi State have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a polio-free society where no child suffers from a preventable disease.

They gave the assurance on Saturday during the commemoration of the World Polio Day with the theme, “One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio for Good.”

The event began with a road walk from the Bauchi Emir’s Palace to Government House, Bauchi, to raise public awareness about polio eradication and the importance of protecting every child against the preventable disease.

Speaking at the event, the health officer of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Patrick Akor, described Polio as a highly infectious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis or death, particularly among children under five.

He said safe and effective vaccines remained the most reliable means of preventing the disease and protecting children from its devastating effects.

“Vaccination has saved millions of lives and brought the world closer to ending polio. Yet outbreaks, conflicts, weak health systems, immunisation gaps, misinformation and inadequate funding threaten these gains.

“Until polio is eradicated everywhere, children everywhere remain at risk,” he said.

Akor stressed the need to strengthen routine immunisation and vaccination campaigns to ensure that every eligible child receives life-saving vaccines, particularly children who have never received any routine vaccine and those in underserved communities.

Also speaking, the President of the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, Comfort Attah, said polio cases had declined by more than 99.9 per cent since the global polio eradication initiative began.

She attributed the progress to the leadership of Rotary International and collaboration among governments, communities, health workers and development partners.