Bauchi Stakeholders Renew Commitment To Polio Eradication On World Polio Day

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 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.

Attah, however, warned that the global fight against polio was not yet over, noting that the continued circulation of the poliovirus in some areas posed a threat to children everywhere.

“Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis, particularly in children. The good news is that it is entirely preventable through vaccination.

“Although the world has made remarkable progress towards eradication, outbreaks and transmission persist in some areas. Therefore, our work is not yet finished,” she said.

The Rotary Club president said the organisation, through its PolioPlus programme, had supported vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, health workers and efforts to strengthen public health systems.

She added that investments in polio eradication also contributed to broader improvements in child health and community resilience.

Attah called on the Bauchi State Government, parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, health workers and other community stakeholders to take an active role in the campaign.

She urged parents to ensure that their eligible children received recommended polio vaccines, while encouraging communities to counter misinformation with accurate information and support immunisation teams in reaching underserved populations.

The Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, said the commemoration of World Polio Day was a reminder that collective efforts must continue until the disease was completely eradicated.

The First Lady, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajiya Talatu Musa Gar, said the occasion provided an opportunity to renew the state’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible child received life-saving vaccines, irrespective of location or family circumstances.

She assured residents that the Bauchi State Government remained committed to strengthening routine immunisation, supporting supplementary immunisation campaigns and improving access to quality primary healthcare services.

According to her, the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed continued to prioritise maternal, newborn and child health, recognising that the well-being of mothers and children was essential to the development and prosperity of the state.

“We will continue to support healthcare workers, strengthen service delivery at our primary healthcare facilities and encourage parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines at the appropriate time,” she said.

She noted that immunisation must be complemented by quality antenatal care, safe delivery, proper nutrition, breastfeeding and access to essential healthcare services for mothers and children.

The First Lady commended the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board and health workers for their efforts in reaching communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas.

She also acknowledged the contributions of traditional and religious leaders, community volunteers, women’s groups and the media in addressing misconceptions and building public confidence in immunisation.

Mohammed further commended UNICEF, Rotary International and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their continued technical, financial and advocacy support for polio eradication and the strengthening of primary healthcare services.

She, however, emphasised that government efforts alone could not achieve complete eradication without the active involvement of parents and communities.

“Every parent must ensure that eligible children are vaccinated, every community must support immunisation teams, and every stakeholder must help dispel rumours and misinformation about vaccines.

“Let us remember that every child vaccinated brings us closer to a polio-free Bauchi State and a polio-free world,” she said.

She called on residents to remain committed to immunisation and take advantage of available maternal and child health services, expressing confidence that collective action would help prevent avoidable disabilities, save lives and secure a healthier future for generations to come.