The Yobe State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Board and National Primary Health Care Development Agency has flagged off a four-day routine immunization campaign for children below the age of five across the 17 local government areas of the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Muhammad Jawa while launching the exercise at Maduri kofan lawan in Damaturu said that the measure was meant to further safeguard the children from all killer diseases.

The Permanent Secretary who explained that exercise was part of Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) strategy where he expressed hope that the Yobe state government as well as partners were able to ensure the commencement of the exercise across the 17 LGAs.

He stressed the need for people to invest heavily in children through adequate immunization from infancy to advisable age for a healthy society.

Jawa added that over the years the state government through the SPHCB with the support from Partners have continued to ensure the success of the annual event geared towards fostering the adaptation of optimal immunization in communities across the state.

He appealed to parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, as well as private sector actors to key into the advocacy in ensuring that children are immunized in the State.

The Permanent Secretary restated the commitments of the administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni in providing quality and affordable healthcare services in the state.

On his part, the Executive Secretary Yobe State Primary Health Care Board Dr Babagana Kundi Machina, represented by the Director Community and Family Health, Muhammad Ali emphasised on the importance of the vaccine and called on the caregivers to make their children available for the immunization.

Also speaking, the Chairman Caretaker Committee Damaturu Local Government Bukar Adamu in a welcome address appealed to people to cooperate with the health officials during exercise for better results.

However, in a goodwill message, the WHO state Coordinator Dr. Nuhu Ningi commended Governor Buni, the management and entire staff of the Health Ministry for their relentless effort in the promotion of health across the state.

Ningi, renewed WHO’s commitments of working with the government in promoting immunization in the state.

Similarly, the UNICEF’s representative reassured their readiness towards the implementation of programmes initiated in addition to empowering parents with the required knowledge and resources for sustainability.