GUSAU – The Commissioner for Health in Zamfara, Alhaji Sulaiman Gummi, says two deaths and 32 cases of measles were recorded between January and November, 2017.
Gummi made this known on Wednesday at the flag-off of measles immunisation campaign in Bungudu, Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.
The state government has categorised the 2017 measles campaign into two phases.
The first phase will cover nine local government areas of Bungudu, Talata-Mafara, Maradun, Kauran-Namoda, Shinkafi, Bakura, Gummi, Gusau and Dansadau Emirate in Maru Local Government area from Nov. 9 to 14.
The second phase will begin on Nov. 15 to 21 in Anka, Bukkuyum, Bakura, Zurmi, Birnin-Magaji, and Maru Emirate in Maru Local Government Area.
The commissioner said that of the 14 local government areas, Anka and Bakura had the highest records of measles cases.
He said that over 1.2 million children across the state would be immunised during the exercise, which according to him, was aimed at tackling measles, being one of the six childhood killer diseases.
The state acting governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, who flagged off the campaign, said that it would ensure the protection of vulnerable children from killer diseases.
Wakkala said that the state government would sustain collaboration with stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
“We are doing our best to work in line with the Federal Government’s guidelines to achieving various health programmes in the state.
“We have good records on polio eradication; we have received two international awards over our commitment to polio eradication.
“Good healthcare delivery to our people is one of the major commitments of the state government, particularly in the rural communities,” he said.
According to him, the present administration had embarked on construction, renovations and provision of healthcare facilities in the hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
Wakkala said, ”From 2011 to date, we have established over 38 health facilities comprising the general hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.”
He commended traditional rulers for their supports and commitments to various healthcare delivery programmes.
He urged parents, guardians and caregivers to cooperate with the state government and other local authorities in their respective areas to ensure that children were immunised.
The chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Nahuche, and Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, assured the state government of total support and commitments to the success of the exercise in the area.
Alhaji Yusuf Mafara, Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ZPHCDA), commended the development partners, especially UNICEF, WHO and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for their contributions to healthcare delivery.
Mafara, also commended the media who have been supporting the exercise in enlightening the people of the state.