Governor Yusuf: “Polio Must End in Kano”

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating polio and significantly reducing maternal mortality by June 2025.  

Speaking at the opening of a training session for health personnel, traditional leaders, and council chairmen from the state’s 44 local government areas, the governor, represented by his deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, emphasized that addressing these critical health challenges remains a top priority.

“This administration is committed to reducing the high rate of maternal mortality and completely eradicating polio by June this year,” he said.

He highlighted the participation of traditional institutions, the State House of Assembly, council chairmen, and other government officials as a testament to the government’s determination to tackle polio and maternal mortality in the state.

The governor urged health personnel, traditional leaders, and local government officials to intensify immunization efforts in their respective areas. He also issued a warning to health workers, stating that those who fail to demonstrate commitment to their duties will be replaced.

“Any health worker who is not committed will be replaced without delay with more serious and committed persons,” he said.

Earlier, Rahma Muhammad, an official of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), raised concerns over the increasing number of polio cases in the state between 2022 and 2025.

“Children of Kano State are still falling prey to the polio virus, and many are yet to receive any routine vaccines,” she said.

“Vaccines are one of the most effective and cost-saving public health interventions in history. Yet nearly 250,000 children in Kano State are zero-dosed (yet to receive a single vaccine).”