FG, WHO, UNICEF, Others Partner Kebbi Govt To Tackle New Polio Variants

From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi

The Federal Government and development partners, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), GAVI, Bills and Milinda Gates and Aliko Dangote foundations have reiterated commitment to help Kebbi State Government eradicate the variant polio virus in the state before the end of year 2024.

The UNICEF and other development partners at the commissioning of an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the four vehicles donated by GAVI, the federal government and unicef in Birnin Kebbi said the establishment of the EOC is a commitment and the starting point for them to work together with the state government to stop the virus.

UNICEF representative, Christiana Munduate urged the state government to get it’s officials committed to the fight against the virus.

She said “We  want you to get your officials to work hard with other development partners and ensure we bring the virus down within a short time”.

The Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina charged the state’s primary healthcare development agency to ensure traditional rulers are carried along in the fight against the virus.

He also urged the state government to create a budget for the EOC and to ensure it appoint a professional to manage and coordinate other development partners.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Abubakar Atiku Kende said the centre was established to address, mitigate and contained the polio virus that’s already circulating in the state.

“The present administration has been paying it’s counterpart funds. We will work with our development partners to eradicate the virus.”