Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has called for collective support for a fight against polio so as to enable a healthy, fruitful and productive future leaders.
The governor made the call while flagging off the first round of National Immunisation Plus Days, NIPDs at the State Specialist Hospital on Thursday.
The first round of NIPDS which has commenced will last till 28 March.
Akeredolu said that the fight against polio was not over until it is completely eradicated from Nigeria and other states and nothing like polio would put the lives of the people in danger again.
In order to achieve a better result, the governor called on traditional rulers,the heads of NGOs, religious leaders and stakeholders to join hands together and fight against polio so as to achieve a qualitative heath, promising that his administration will give a full support to see that this goal is achieved and by supporting more healthcare centres.
He explained that the exercise was aimed at sustaining a polio fee environment and freeing Nigeria from the deadly virus.
The governor recalled that polio eradication was set up in 1996 and since then, Nigeria has been able to wipe off polio from every corners within the state.
He said: "And children under one year will be immunised against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis, measles, yellow fever and tetanus at the fixed posts in all the designated health facilities. Equally, pregnant women would be immunised against tetanus."
Akeredolu thanked WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other donor agencies for their partnership in checkmating polio.
The governor empasized that skilled human health resource at the state and local government areas have also been trained and mobilised specifically for the programme.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr Tate Oni, said the state had been polio-free since 2008. Oni noted that since 2008, Ondo State has been polio-free but all hands must be on deck to consolidate on previous records, adding that the ministry had skilled health workers who were to carry out the exercise and that all machinery were on ground.
He said: "This exercise which commenced on March 22 would end on March 28 while the second phase would commence on April 22 to 26."
"Collectively we shall win the battle", he added.
