The Federal Government has released N9.8b for fight the outbreak of polio in the troubled North-East region of Nigeria.
The North-eastern part of Nigeria has been devastated by constant attacks from the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram.
Recently, two new cases of polio were discovered by the government in Borno state,which has been the worse hit by Boko Haram attacks.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole said the government has released enough funds for the anti-polio campaign, Punch reports.
The minister also said “We have earmarked N9.8bn for polio and by Monday the entire N9.8bn will be released. For the sub-national campaigns, 31, 540, 054 children are targeted to be vaccinated each round with oral vaccines across states in the North-East, North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones of the country. For the nationwide response, 56, 363, 618 children will be vaccinated between October and November 2016.
“The revised plan was informed by factors such as historical data on WPV affected areas, pattern of transmission over the last five years, population displacement due to insecurity in the North-East, likelihood of spread of the virus to other neighbouring countries and population immunity.”
Adding that “Plans are underway to reinforce and intensify immunisation of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Vaccines have been provided at the different international port health locations and airports. This is consistent with the International Health Regulations.”
President Muhammadu Buhari also directed the Federal Ministries of Health, and Information and Culture, to deepen their collaboration with state governments to ensure that Nigeria is finally certified polio free by 2017.
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