WHO, UNICEF and Bauchi Primary Health Care seek stakeholders support for Polio Immunisation in Alkaleri
By Muhammad Alhaji.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, has called for increased community support and mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming polio immunisation exercise in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The WHO representative in Alkaleri, Abdullahi Musa, made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Primary Health Care Mini Conference Hall, Alkaleri Local Government Secretariat.
Abdullahi Musa explained that the meeting was organised to secure the cooperation and active participation of stakeholders towards the successful conduct of the immunisation exercise scheduled for November 7, 2026.
Describing health as wealth, he emphasised that every child has the right to immunisation, urging parents, religious and traditional leaders, and school authorities to support the exercise by creating awareness and encouraging eligible children to receive the vaccine.
Also speaking, the Bauchi State Health Education Officer, Muhammad Ribado Jibrin, stressed the importance of stakeholders’ involvement in the collective effort to eradicate polio in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.
He explained that the vaccine is intended for children from birth to five years, calling on all concerned to work together to protect children against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Muhammad Ribado expressed optimism that Imams and pastors would use their respective places of worship to sensitise their congregations and encourage parents to present their children for vaccination.
He disclosed that the forthcoming exercise would be conducted in only three local government areas of Bauchi State, Alkaleri, Misau and Darazo.
Speaking on behalf of the religious leaders, the Chief Imam of Kofar Fada in Alkaleri, Adamu Y. Liman, commended WHO and UNICEF for organising the meeting and assured them that the message would be communicated to the public to ensure maximum support for the exercise.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of the Primary Health Care Department, Alkaleri Local Government, represented by the Health Educator, Abdullahi Yunusa, appreciated the stakeholders for honouring the invitation.
He also commended WHO and UNICEF for their continued collaboration with the local government in strengthening healthcare delivery and supporting efforts to eradicate polio across the state.
The meeting was attended by religious and traditional leaders, as well as representatives of public and private schools.
