The governor of the state of Kano, Abba Yusuf, has declared that his administration is committed to eradicating polyomyelitis in June 2025 and reducing the high maternal mortality rate within the same framework.
He stressed that addressing these two critical health challenges is a priority for their government, and will seek this goal in their logical conclusion.
The governor made these comments during the opening of an orientation training organized by the State Ministry of Health for Health Personnel, 44 presidents of the local government and members of the Kano Emirate. The event took place at the Hotel Seventeen in Kaduna during the weekend.
Represented by the Vice Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, highlighted the assistance of government officials, members of the State Assembly Chamber and the Emirate of Kano, which underlines its seriousness to eradicate polyomyelitis and address the issue of maternal mortality.
In his speech, the Vice Governor, who also presides over the State Immunization Committee, urged health personnel, local government officials and traditional leaders to seriously take immunization efforts in their areas.
He challenged health workers to be dedicated and prepared to focus their efforts on achieving the objectives of eradicating polyomyelitis and reducing maternal mortality. “Any health worker who is not compromised will be replaced without delay with a more serious and committed staff.
He stressed that the state government under the leadership of Abba Yusuf is determined to make the state out of polio in June 2025. And we will join the campaign to do so for free at the end of the year.
Previously, the United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) state of Kano, representative, Rahma Rahood Muhammad, said there has been a constant increase in the number of polyomyelitis cases in the state between 2022 and 2025.
Muhammad said: “Kano's children are still being victims of the polyomyelitis virus and many have not yet received routine vaccines.
“Vaccines are one of the most effective public intervention and saves costs in history. However, almost 250,000 children in the state of Kano are zero doses (even to collect vaccines).
“I will give four example, in 2022, we say 6 cases reported from polyomyelitis virus, in 2023, this case increased to 27, in 2024, the number now is 29 cases. This is almost 5 times that increases since 2020.