The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Family physicians push for bigger role to bridge widening gaps in healthcare system

    Family physicians push for bigger role to bridge widening gaps in healthcare system

    The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) has called for the full engagement and integration of family physicians into all levels of the country’s healthcare system, saying this is essential to bridge widening gaps in health policy implementation and primary healthcare governance.

    “In order to bridge the health policies and governance gaps in primary health care, family physicians should be engaged, integrated, and appointed to implement the approved health policies between all levels of healthcare systems,” the group stated in a communiqué issued at the end of its 28th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) held in Abuja.

    SOFPON warned that the absence of family physicians in critical decision-making roles was contributing to inefficiencies in primary healthcare delivery, particularly at a time when insecurity and economic hardship were worsening the nation’s health crisis.

    The communiqué, dated November 30, 2025, and signed by SOFPON President, Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, and Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Jatau Loh, also condemned the growing wave of attacks on health facilities and the kidnapping of medical workers. 

    The organisation said these trends were placing “unbearable pressure on both medical practitioners and patients.”

    “The society urges the federal government to pay more attention to the security challenges to give enabling environment for family physicians and healthcare workers to discharge their responsibilities without fears or intimidations,” it added.

    SOFPON further expressed concern over Nigeria’s deepening economic hardship and the deteriorating state of the healthcare system, insisting that therapeutic standards must not be sacrificed for survival. 

    It noted that financial resilience had become an indispensable skill for practitioners operating under the present economic realities.

    The group also decried the mass exodus of medical professionals driven by poor working conditions and inadequate government interventions. 

    To address this, it pledged to intensify advocacy for equitable remuneration, stronger safety regulations, and expanded financing of primary healthcare under the National Health Insurance framework.

    Highlighting the rising mental health challenges among Nigerian doctors, ranging from depression and anxiety to burnout, SOFPON blamed the situation on long work hours, stress, exposure to trauma, and financial strain.

    The communiqué also criticised the underutilisation of family physicians, attributing it to poor system integration, lack of recognition, weak infrastructure, and haphazard deployment that forces many to fill generic roles rather than lead primary healthcare teams.

    To strengthen the health system, SOFPON resolved to enhance partnerships between public and private sectors, hospitals and HMOs, and health professionals and technology innovators. 

    It committed to promoting value-oriented, cost-effective healthcare; establishing institutional wellness programmes for physicians; and advancing innovations such as telemedicine, digital documentation, and group practice networks.

    The association also pledged to support early-career physicians through mentorship, leadership development, and financial literacy training, while investing in research and data-driven practice to inform policy reforms.

  • Foundation to support education, health, community development

    Foundation to support education, health, community development

    An engineer, Kolawole Adepoju, has formally launched the Kolawole Adepoju Dream Foundation.

    Its goal is to improve the lives of the needy through initiatives in education, health, and community development.

    The Foundation, unveiled on November 30, in Lagos, attracted friends, supporters and professionals who pledged to partner with the Foundation in its mission to assist disadvantaged groups.

    Adepoju said the Foundation was established to bridge the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged, noting that genuine impact does not require great wealth.

    “It is not necessarily true that one has to be rich to help others,” he said, stressing that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. 

    “We live in a world where there’s a big divide between the have and the have-not, and the gap is getting wider. It is important for those who are blessed to reach out to those in need.”

    Adepoju stated that the Foundation will focus on adopting schools, offering scholarships to indigent students, and supporting health and community-based interventions. 

    Read Also: Anatomy of the Tinubu gains in health sector

    “There are many brilliant students who lack opportunities. As we adopt schools, we will identify students we can support to pursue their dreams without hindrance,” he said.

    The Foundation’s Board is made up of technocrats including Seyi Adefemi, Lekan Onipede, Olawale Adepoju, Kenneth Akan and Kazeem Adeoye.

    Adepoju explained that he had been funding the Foundation for years, but decided to formally launch it to attract more partners and expand its impact. 

    He called on individuals and corporate organisations to collaborate with the Foundation to help address societal needs.

    The launch also doubled as a fundraising event. 

    Guests and speakers commended the initiative and pledged support for the Foundation’s programmes.

  • SFH launches CoElevate Fund for health innovators

    SFH launches CoElevate Fund for health innovators

    Nigeria’s health innovation drive gained new energy on Thursday as the Society for Family Health (SFH), through its enterprise arm SFH Access, introduced the CoElevate Catalytic Fund — a new mechanism intended to support the country’s growing pool of health innovators. The launch, held at SFH’s Lagos office, brought together entrepreneurs, funders, policymakers, and partners committed to solving long-standing health challenges with local ideas.

    Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of SFH Access, Pharm. Dennis Aizobu said the fund was created to address the gaps that often hinder promising ideas. “This is the beginning of a new chapter in West Africa’s innovation story,” he said. “Many ideas in Nigeria don’t fail because of a lack of competence. They fail because innovators lack exposure, capital, and the systems that help ideas grow.”

    According to him, CoElevate will offer “access to mentorship, access to support, access to capital, and access to platforms that will ensure scale.”

    Aizobu explained that the fund combines milestone-based grants, equity investments, and access to SFH’s technology and operational experience. He added that “Africans must invest in Africa,” noting that SFH Access will run two funding cycles each year to give more innovators the chance to join an ecosystem built for long-term growth.

    Chairperson of the SFH Access Board, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai described the launch as “a landmark moment for building equitable access to healthcare.” He said the initiative reflects SFH’s long-standing work in supporting vulnerable communities and backing young Nigerians who want to create solutions that serve the public good. “Innovation is essential to meeting our health challenges,” he said. “CoElevate offers a pathway for identifying and lifting ideas that can make a real impact.”

    SFH Managing Director, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, highlighted the infrastructure that innovators will access under the programme. “We operate on Microsoft Azure, we work with AWS, we build APIs and digital tools, and we maintain one of the strongest logistics networks in the health sector,” he said. He noted that SFH’s national supply-chain system — which includes a pharmagrade warehouse, 22 satellite warehouses, and distribution links across Nigeria — will be available to participating startups. “These are assets that would cost billions for a new company to build. We want innovators to focus on the science and the product, while we help with the systems that move it forward.”

    Idogho said the value of the fund should ultimately be measured by progress in Nigeria’s major health indicators. “If the innovations we support help reduce maternal deaths, improve immunisation and expand access to essential services, then we would have achieved what this programme was designed for,” he said.

    Representing the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi said the initiative arrives at a time when innovators face limited opportunities. “Innovation drives progress in every health system,” she said. “This fund gives Nigerian ideas the chance to grow and reach communities that need them.”

    Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, SFH’s Deputy Managing Director, said CoElevate was set up to support ideas that often struggle because their creators lack clear structures or guidance. “Many innovators have strong concepts,” she said. “What they need is the right support to refine them and position them for real-world implementation.”

    With grants of $5,000–$10,000, equity investments, mentorship, regulatory support and a 24-month management programme, the CoElevate Catalytic Fund aims to strengthen HealthTech, WASH, pharmaceutical R&D and NCD-focused innovations. According to SFH Access, the goal is simple: to build a system that helps Nigerian innovators turn ideas into practical solutions for the country’s health needs.

  • FG expands cancer care amid social media concerns over FMC Jabi

    FG expands cancer care amid social media concerns over FMC Jabi

    The federal government has said that, contrary to claims circulating in a social media video, it is actively expanding access to quality cancer care across Nigeria, including ongoing improvements at the Oncology Department of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja.

    According to the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), the video, while highlighting staff dedication, misrepresented the current state of infrastructure and services at the facility.

    The Institute clarified that FMC Jabi is not one of the 12 tertiary hospitals officially designated as Cancer Centres of Excellence under the government’s nationwide oncology strategy.

    Director General (DG) of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, asserted in a statement on Monday, that “It is also worth noting that cancer care has received considerable attention by the President Tinubu-led government since the establishment of NICRAT two years ago, specifically, to drive improvements in cancer research, treatment, prevention, and control across Nigeria.

    “In 2024, for the first time in the nation’s history, NICRAT got a dedicated budget for cancer control.”

    According to him, the dedicated budget has enabled significant investments in infrastructure upgrades, specialized training, and the expansion of state-of-the-art oncology services across six geopolitical zones, while noting that the measures aim to strengthen cancer care delivery, enhance service efficiency, and ensure patient safety.

    While noting that the improvements are already reflected in the appreciation expressed toward oncology staff at FMC Jabi in the same viral video, the DG pointed out that, under NICRAT’s coordination, the government has designated 12 hospitals nationwide as Cancer Centres of Excellence, recognized as first-class facilities for cancer care.

    He said that though FMC Jabi is not currently among the designated centres, it is part of the Preventive Oncology Programme, a novel initiative designed to support its development into a regional hub for advanced cancer care in the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The Federal Government remains committed to supporting ongoing expansions in oncology services at FMC Jabi to meet international standards of care,” Aliyu said.

    The government, he said, has also placed orders for additional state-of-the-art oncology equipment to be installed in all Centres of Excellence, ensuring consistent access to high-quality services.

    He said, “Also, NICRAT is aggressively implementing programmes to build a robust oncology workforce through continuous professional development and specialized training for doctors, nurses, radiographers, physicists, biomedical engineers, cancer registrars, and other health professionals, and strengthening cancer surveillance through the expansion of population-based cancer registries and digital reporting systems to generate accurate data for planning and research.

    “NICRAT has also mapped out strategies to enhance access to essential cancer medicines through regulatory harmonization, quality-assurance mechanisms, and initiatives such as the Nigerian Cancer Access Partnership (NCAP) and the National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF)”.

    These interventions underscore a strategic push to strengthen oncology services across the country, demonstrating sustained political will and tangible action toward building a resilient and accessible national cancer care system, he stressed.

    The DG appealed for patience and understanding from cancer patients, reiterating the government’s commitment to transforming cancer care nationwide.

    “The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, remains committed to improving and transforming cancer care in all parts of Nigeria,” Aliyu said.

  • FAME Foundation unveils HerSTEM inclusive tournament ahead of 2025 International Day of PWD

    FAME Foundation unveils HerSTEM inclusive tournament ahead of 2025 International Day of PWD

    FAME Foundation has announced plans for the 2025 edition of the HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament, an event designed to celebrate and empower Nigerian girls and women with disabilities. 

    The tournament is scheduled as part of national activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.

    Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, explained that this year’s tournament aims to reinforce the importance of building a Nigeria where people of all abilities can participate, contribute, and thrive. 

    She noted that the global theme for 2025 underscores the need for societies that create room for everyone to reach their full potential.

    According to her, the country’s development is deeply connected to how well it includes its diverse population. 

    She emphasised that many Nigerians, particularly girls and women living with disabilities, continue to face systemic barriers to education, employment, quality of life, and opportunities in sports. 

    “Nigeria is inherently diverse. At FAME Foundation, we recognise the power of sports to unite people. When individuals are shut out of sports, we deny them visibility, leadership, confidence, and the chance to show what they are capable of,” she said.

    Atoyebi revealed that the 2025 HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament will offer a national stage for athletes with disabilities to display their strength and determination. 

    The event will be held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, featuring competitions such as the 100m finals for visually impaired athletes, athletes with cerebral palsy, and Deaf athletes; discus throw for amputees and polio survivors; and shot put for amputees and Lexul athletes. She encouraged the public to attend and support the athletes as they compete.

    She also urged government agencies, private sector players, development partners, and the media to channel greater resources toward parasports, accessible sporting facilities, and platforms that highlight the abilities of persons with disabilities. 

    As preparations continue, she expressed solidarity with every young woman set to participate, describing their perseverance as an inspiration and a catalyst for broader change.

    FAME Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to championing equality, strengthening inclusion, and fostering a Nigeria where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate and succeed. 

    In its closing remarks, the organisation acknowledged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for partnering on the 2025 HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament, commending the agency for its dedication to inclusive development and its support for initiatives that advance national progress.

  • Workshop pushes One Health approach to tackle AMR, food safety, climate threats

    Workshop pushes One Health approach to tackle AMR, food safety, climate threats

    A multi-stakeholder workshop on “Strengthening AMR Surveillance, Biosafety and Climate-Smart Agriculture through a One Health Approach in Nigeria” has called for urgent, evidence-based action to address the growing risks linking animal, human and environmental health.

    Supported by the Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC) and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the forum underscored the need for integrated solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Guided by DFC’s principles — Inspire, Connect, Act — the workshop brought together government agencies, experts, and members of the DAN-NG Alumni Community to strengthen national capacity in key areas of livestock and public health management. 

    These include ethical animal husbandry, improved feed practices, enhanced disease detection, and responsible use of veterinary medicines to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

    Other focus areas were risk-based food safety inspections, climate-smart livestock systems, and strengthening animal identification and traceability across the value chain.

    With the global AMR awareness theme for 2025 — “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future” — participants warned that AMR and climate change pose intertwined threats to food safety, vaccines, agricultural productivity and public health. 

    They noted that climate change is fuelling some vaccine-preventable diseases, including yellow fever, through expanding vectors, extreme weather events and disruptions in immunisation services. Low-income countries, they stressed, remain most vulnerable.

    The workshop featured officials from NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), as well as leading experts from academia and the livestock sector.

    Nigeria and Denmark’s Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC), established in 2020, has delivered more than 44 joint projects promoting sustainable livestock production, climate-resilient agriculture and stronger animal health systems. 

    Stakeholders said the collaboration continues to modernise livestock practices, improve food safety and expand the adoption of One Health-driven solutions.

    Describing the workshop as a platform for learning, innovation and practical action, organisers expressed hope that the knowledge generated would influence policy, strengthen communities and advance climate-smart agriculture nationwide.

    Quoting an African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”, Coordinator of DAN-NG and Chief Regulatory Officer at NAFDAC, Sidikat Kamal, said the gathering reflected a shared commitment to go far together in safeguarding food systems, public health and environmental sustainability.

  • NDDC lifts sickle cell sufferers in Edo

    NDDC lifts sickle cell sufferers in Edo

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has provided medical interventions to enable sickle cell sufferers to live a better life.

    The NDDC said it was following global medical trends to ensure that people with sickle cell have longevity, quality of life, and improved health outcomes.

    Edo State NDDC Director, Mrs. Mercy Babawale, spoke in Benin City at a one-day awareness campaign on sickle cell health promotion and sensitisation.

     Mrs. Babawale said has sickle cell campaign was one of the Commission’s priority programmes

    According to her, “Before now, sickle cell was like a death sentence. People gave up easily on those with the condition. But things are changing, and medically, things are evolving.

    “As a Commission, we don’t think it is fair, especially as an interventionist agency, to fold our hands and watch people die or give up hope. That is why the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the board led by our Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, decided that we must intervene.”

    Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, lauded the NDDC and its partners for sustaining the fight against sickle cell disorder, even as he called for deeper collaboration to tackle critical health challenges across the state and the region.

    Dr. Oshiomhole said the present administration remained open to strategic collaborations that would improve access to healthcare and strengthen support systems for persons living with sickle cell disorder.

    His words, “I want to see a kind of partnership that will give our sickle cell warriors the opportunity for stem cell transplants. I believe it is doable. We can fashion a way to subsidise it for our warriors. I will be in touch with the NDDC to see how the Edo State Government can come in to make all of this work.

    “I know this is a stepping stone to greater opportunities and greater programmes ahead. I also commend our sickle cell warriors for their resilience and encourage them to continue to avail themselves of laudable events like this.”

    President of the Sickle Cell Club in Edo State, Charles Edigin, called for more investment in modern treatment options and appealed to more agencies to join the campaign.

     “We need bone marrow transplant opportunities. We need oxygen concentrators. These interventions help reduce the severity of crises, and I can testify to how helpful they are.”

  • FG pledges support for inclusive drug reform, justice system protections

    FG pledges support for inclusive drug reform, justice system protections

    The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to harm reduction, youth protection, and criminal justice reforms, as stakeholders push for stronger, inclusive, and human rights-based drug policies across the country.

    The coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, restated this commitment, emphasizing the government’s support for interventions designed to protect and empower people who use drugs while expanding equitable access to treatment and counseling services.

    Pate spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of a two-day We Are People Conference 2025, themed ‘Young People, Excellence and Inclusivity’, where he described the conference as timely and strategic, offering a vital platform to expand pathways for harm reduction services across the country.

    Pate, who was represented by Pharm. Abdulhamid Wosiliat noted that the Ministry currently operates eleven treatment and counselling centres nationwide, providing structured support for people who use drugs.

    These facilities, he said, complement community-led and donor-supported programmes forming Nigeria’s growing harm reduction framework. He added that the Ministry remains committed to working closely with partners to scale up these programmes.

    In her opening remarks, Executive Director of YouthRISE Nigeria, Oluwafisayo Alao-Amiola, stressed the need for Nigeria to build fairer and more inclusive systems that recognise the rights and potential of young people, especially those burdened by stigma and structural inequality.

    She explained that the conference theme, Young People, Excellence and Inclusivity, reflects a movement that has evolved beyond a campaign into a national platform for justice.

    “This is more than a conference title, it is the truth that sits at the heart of our theme for this year, calling us to recognize the brilliance of young people and the inclusive systems needed to help them thrive”, she said.

    Alao-Amiola recalled that the We Are People campaign, launched over a decade ago to challenge stigma against young people who use drugs, has since expanded to address socioeconomic exclusion, disability related barriers, discriminatory policies, and systemic inequality.

    “Our mission has always been clear, to amplify the voices of young people and champion their rights to fully participate in the systems that shape their lives”, she added, insisting that the brilliance of Nigeria’s youth must be matched by systems that do not punish or exclude them.

    “The excellence of young people deserves systems that welcome them, policies that empower them, and communities that include them,” she noted.

    The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Anthony Ojukwu, represented by Harry Obeche, also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting vulnerable young people within the criminal justice system.

    He noted that although the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2021 contains progressive safeguards against torture, arbitrary detention, and provides for non-custodial measures, implementation gaps continue to expose many young people, particularly the poor, to rights violations.

    He highlighted ongoing NHRC initiatives such as the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme, the Access to Justice for Detainees Programme, and the establishment of Human Rights Desks within police formations, aimed at ensuring that constitutional protections translate into real and enforceable rights.

    A criminal justice expert and Executive Director of the Centre for Penal and Justice Development, Sulaiman Dawodu-Kuku, raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s juvenile justice system.

    He said thousands of children and young people still suffer harmful and outdated practices due to weak law implementation and fragmented legal frameworks.

    According to him, the system often fails to separate adults from minors during detention, exposes children to regular criminal courts instead of family or youth courts, and denies vulnerable young people necessary procedural protections during police investigations.

    These systemic failures not only violate human rights but also worsen long-term social outcomes for affected young people, he said.

    Dawodu-Kuku stressed that international standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, require countries to set the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 12 years or above.

    He said Nigeria must build a justice system that recognises the humanity of young people, one that protects, rehabilitates, and empowers rather than dehumanizes.

  • Stakeholders seek sustained commitment to maternal, child nutrition

    Stakeholders seek sustained commitment to maternal, child nutrition

    Stakeholders in the health sector have called for renewed collaboration to sustain maternal and child nutrition in states.

    This is as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health (office of Vice President), Dr Uju Rochas-Anwukah, noted that Nigeria needs stronger collaboration with donor organisations and development partners to effectively tackle malnutrition and meet national nutrition targets.

    The stakeholders made the call in Abuja at the Alive & Thrive Nigeria Project closeout and dissemination event organised by FHI 360.

    Speaking at the event, Country Representative, FHI 360, Dr Victor Ogbodo said the meeting was convened to reflect on the project’s contributions to policy development, system strengthening, service delivery, and community empowerment.

    Ogbodo urged the government, partners, donors, and civil society to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening systems, empowering communities, and scaling up proven nutrition interventions.

    He said the initiative has supported national efforts to strengthen nutrition policies and coordination structures and expand access to multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant women.

    ‎Ogbodo added that the project also built the capacity of frontline health workers and community-based organisations.

    He said, “We gather at the national level to reflect on the project’s contributions to policy development, system strengthening, service delivery, and community empowerment.

    ‎“We are also here to celebrate our shared successes over the past four years. Alive and Thrive has supported efforts in Nigeria, first of all, to strengthen policy and coordination structures for nutrition.

    “Expand access to multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant women, trained and mentored frontline healthcare workers, and community organisations.

    ‎“We have optimised service delivery systems in primary health care settings. We have also promoted best practices for breastfeeding and complementary feeding.”

    ‎Also speaking, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, commended the organisation for its contributions to improving nutrition services across Nigeria.

    The minister, who was represented by the Director of Nutrition at the ministry, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, said the initiative had demonstrated what is possible when health systems and communities work together.

    He said, ‎“The objective of today’s event is not just to share results but to translate evidence into policy and programmatic actions that can be institutionalised within our health system.”

    Pate said that Nigerian families continued to face real challenges, including mothers who wished to exclusively breastfeed but lacked support and overstretched health workers.

    He, therefore, said the project had deepened the government’s understanding of these challenges and demonstrated the impact of consistent interventions, strengthened systems, and meaningful community engagement.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health said the project had recorded significant improvement in the seven states since 2022.

    She said the project has been able to deliver outcomes like improvement of maternal, infant, and child nutrition.

    “What Nigeria needs to be able to tackle the issue of malnutrition is collaboration, partnership, and when we do this, we’ll be able to achieve the Nigeria of our collective dreams,” she said.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, pledged to deepen collaboration with development partners and government agencies to improve maternal and child nutrition across the country.

    ‎Okafor highlighted the committee’s ongoing work to strengthen nutrition governance across all levels of government.

  • UNICEF targets over 2m children, rolls out polio campaign in Katsina

    UNICEF targets over 2m children, rolls out polio campaign in Katsina

    The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) kicked off a major polio vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 2.8 million children under five across 361 wards in Katsina State.

    During the flag off campaign in Katsina,UNICEF called for stronger media involvement and community mobilisation to ensure no child is missed in the statewide exercise.

    Mr. Rahama M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, praised the state for its impressive 90 percent performance in recent rounds and the drastic reduction of confirmed paralysis cases—limited to Danmusa LGA. 

    He said: ”UNICEF’s renewed engagement with journalists reflects their crucial role in shaping public trust and helping parents understand the life-saving value of the vaccine.” 

    Farah also appealed to radio stations, especially those covering remote communities, to ramp up sensitisation campaigns, noting that radio remains the most trusted communication channel for rural families. 

    He reminded parents that routine immunisation is available every day at primary health centres and should be fully utilised.

    While noting that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has made major breakthroughs, Farah warned that polio remains “a borderless threat,” stressing that any lingering case poses a risk to all states.

     He urged Katsina to sustain at least 95 percent vaccination coverage and ensure timely release of local government funds to keep field teams active.

    Representing the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Mukhtar Mahmud reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding children. 

    He informed the current campaign includes added child and maternal health services such as vitamin A supplements, deworming tablets, azithromycin, routine immunisation, and support for pregnant women. Door-to-door, fixed post and mobile teams have already been deployed across all LGAs.

    UNICEF and state officials appealed to parents to complete all required vaccine doses for children aged 0–15 months, emphasising that full immunisation remains the strongest shield against polio. LGAs were encouraged to intensify community mobilisation to dispel misinformation and reassure families of the vaccine’s safety.

    With over 3,700 personnel including nearly 2,000 house-to-house and special teams,the exercise is  expected to markets, motor parks, remote villages, and hard-to-reach settlements.

     Development partners and state authorities were commended for sustained investment in logistics, training and community health systems.

    Goodwill messages were delivered by Ambassador Aminu Muhammad, National Consultant and State Polio Lead at the EOC Katsina, and Dr. Sulaiman Haladu of the Polio Emergency Programme, both stressing the need for cooperation among parents, traditional leaders and local councils to ensure no child is left behind.

    Vaccination teams have since begun trekking into remote communities, reinforcing Katsina’s resolve to stamp out polio once and for all.