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From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
Katsina State is gearing up for a massive health push this November, with plans to immunise some 2.8 million children under the age of five against life-threatening diseases, including the crippling polio virus and its variants.
The campaign, organised in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was unveiled at a media briefing in Katsina on Thursday by Dr Mukhtar Mahmud of the State Primary Health Care Agency.
He emphasised that the initiative is not just about vaccines, but also about safeguarding the future of Katsina’s children.
“As we prepare to launch this campaign, we invite the public to join us in this noble endeavour. Together, we can protect our children and build a healthier future for Katsina State,” Mahmud said.
The immunisation drive will span all 34 Local Government Areas, deploying a mix of door-to-door vaccination teams, fixed posts, and mobile units to ensure no child is missed.
Beyond polio and routine immunisation, the campaign will deliver a package of critical health services, including:
*Azithromycin distribution for child health
*Vitamin A supplementation
“Deworming tablets for children
*Nutritional support for pregnant women
As part of measures to ensure a successful campaign, the government says it has invested in stakeholder engagement, health worker training and social mobilisation activities. The authorities are urging citizens to support the effort, stressing that community participation is key to reaching every child.
On its part, UNICEF says it continuously engages the media in the vaccination campaign because of the critical and rich role they can play in collaboration with the state government to ensure that every child is vaccinated.
“Also, we want to emphasise the fact that protein immunisation and other services will also be provided during this campaign,” the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Rahama Farah, said.
“We have deployed 6,300 health workers at different facilities.
“Additionally, we have trained and deployed 600 non-compliance resolution teams. These non-compliance resolution teams their role is very important.
“We have 87 voluntary survivor groups. We have 4,749 voluntary community mobilizers who are also going to help and support the campaign.”
