The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has commended the Kebbi? Government? for its efforts that ensured that the state was free of polio from June 2011 to June 2012. ????
?Prof Onyebuchi, who was represented by Prof. Emmanuel Abanida, the Director of Disease Control ?in the ministry, made the commendation in Argungu on Saturday at the launch?of the 2012 Polio Immunisation + Administration. ?? ?
He said the performance of the state in the eradication of the polio virus was a major step toward the realisation of the goal of the Federal Government to eradicate the disease by 2015. ? ?
He also commended the state for achieving one of the major objectives of the Millennium Development Goals and promised the Federal government would support the state materially, technically and manpower.
Earlier, Gov Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi said the government?would?ensure that health care delivery was achieved in line with national and international standards. ? ?
“We would work closely with national and international?development agencies to ensure that polio never surfaced again by approaching issues in the health sector holistically henceforth,” the governor said. ? ?
He said the state government had provided 17 new hospitals and 150 primary healthcare centres for the people.
He also said the government was providing free medical care for children less than five years and women. ? ? ?
Alhaji Sama'ila Mera, the Emir of Argungu and Co-chairman of the Technical Committee on Eradication of Polio,,said traditional rulers would?spearhead?the quest to eradicate the disease completely in the state.????
Mera, who is also the National Vice-chairman of the Traditional Council on Polio Eradication, called on stakeholders to remain steadfast to ensure that the state was free of polio.(NAN).