Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has solicited the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the health sector, including religious and community leaders in the complete eradication of polio in the country.
Mimiko who stated this at the weekend in Akure during the flag-off of third round sensitization campaign on Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), stressed the importance of polio eradication, especially as the nation is working towards her certification as a polio-free country.
Declaring open the campaign themed ‘Community Leaders Against Polio’ organised as part of a nationwide campaign initiated by the Governors Forum, the governor assured that his administration would not relent in its efforts at providing qualitative healthcare for the people, stressing that the administration had already introduced free health programmes for children under 5 years and pregnant women in the state.
The Governor also disclosed that an ultramodern cold chain store in Akure would soon be ready for commissioning, adding that the state government had acquired 100 tricycle ambulances meant to enhance immunization activities and mobilize the people for the exercise with a view to ensuring immunization coverage of every ward in the state.
Dr Mimiko who affirmed that no case of polio had been recorded in the state since the inception of his administration, commended the efforts of state Governors in the year 2010 with the reduction of polio cases in the country from 338 in 2009 to 21 in 2010.
He said: “You will agree with me that the role of community leaders in mobilizing their subjects for the eradication of polio in the state cannot be over emphasised. Many of our community leaders have been engaged in polio eradication activities in the country. The purpose of today’s sensitization is therefore to ensure continued community participation and involvement in polio eradication initiative”.
The Governor said his administration will not relent in its effort to provide qualitative healthcare delivery to the people of the State through planned programmes. Four hundred thousand naira (N400, 000) is being released monthly for routine immunization activities in each of the 18 LGAs.
“With our commitment in material and monetary terms, what is left is for all of us to ensure that all children under 5 years of age in our different areas are taken to the nearest health facility for the vaccination. The vaccines are available in all public health facilities and qualified health workers have been positioned to vaccinate children against polio and other childhood killer diseases free of charge,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, urged parents to always make their children available for immunization and not to wait until immunization days alone.
The commissioner also added that the present administration has provided all the logistic supports needed to ensure a polio free Ondo State.
Present at the sensitization programme were; wife of the State Governor, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko and representatives of partner agencies, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.