Ebonyi Tasks Men On Polio Eradication

The Ebonyi State Gov

ernment has introduced a quarterly immunisation programme with a challenge on the menfolk to ensure the eradication of polio in their families and the society.

Governor  Martin Elechi stated this last Saturday in Abakaliki during the flag-off of the maiden edition of the State quarterly campaigns on eradication of polio.

Represented by his deputy, Chief Dave Umahi, the governor said that the continued menace of polio in the society was intolerable and unacceptable, hence the focus on men.

“As we enter the speed lane in our drive to actualise the health component of the Millennium Development Goals, the time has come for us to make the final push to eradicate polio.”

According to Elechi, the State shall embark on special quarterly sensitisation and immunisation exercises that will last till 2012.

“Each quarter shall be dedicated to the mobilisation and sensitisation of a specific demographic component of the population.

“For this quarter, the focus is on men. As fathers and husbands, the time calls for men to take responsibility for the enthronement of a polio free society.”

The governor also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and opinion moulders to mobilise their subjects to meet the challenge of polio eradication.

“As citizens and agents of change, the time calls for men to do battle with polio and give freedom to our children. This is the challenge of this moment,” Elechi said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Nwangele said that Ebonyi had remained polio free since 1999 except for 2009 when it recorded two imported cases from Benue.

He, therefore, called for a concerted effort by various stakeholders to maintain the tolerance status of the State.

The highpoint of the flag-off was the immunisation of some children by Elechi, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr Ikechukwu Nwankwo and the Health Commissioner, Dr Nwangele.