Borno adopts new strategies to fight polio

TO eradicate polio from Borno State by the year 2015, the state government has changed strategies of eradication by engaging traditional and religious leaders in spearheading the campaigns against the poliomyelitis virus that claimed many lives and disabilities among children.These were made known by the Chairman of the Special Task Force on Immunisation against Polio and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Kaka Mai Garbai, while briefing reporters on measures against polio at the Musa Usman Secretariat Complex, Maiduguri.He disclosed that the initial approach to the polio campaigns has been reviewed, adding that the traditional institution, clerics and non-governmental organisations would now be fully engaged to make the decision to kick out polio in the state a reality.The commissioner said that the taskforce was aware of the influence of the traditional institution and religious leaders. 'We know our people listen very well to religious and traditional leaders and therefore, we believe these are very vital to successful campaigns to kick out polio,' he stated.Garbai, who heads the Task Force with the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salmatu Anas-Kolo maintained that the new strategy would address the problem even as the state flags off its campaigns in Bama where a case was reported in January.It was also gathered that a case of the polio outbreak was recorded at Banki, Bama Local Council in January while Borno is said to be one of the states with high risk of the disease in the country.Experts in the health sector maintained that one case of polio is a risk to 200 people. The Presidential Task Force on polio eradication has said it would declare emergency in any state that record a new case of polio.
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