Niger Health Commissioner Hosts Global Polio Delegation, Calls for Sustained Vigilance
The Commissioner for Health in Niger State, Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana, has strongly reaffirmed the state government's unwavering commitment to sustaining its hard-earned polio-free status. He emphasized that the battle against this debilitating disease must continue with renewed intensity and heightened accountability across all levels of the health system.
High-Level Engagement at Polio Emergency Centre
Dr Bagana made these crucial statements while receiving a high-level delegation from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led by Steven Lauwerier, at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Minna. Receiving the delegation on behalf of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the commissioner described the visit as a powerful validation of Niger State's leadership in public health and its sustained efforts to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
He noted that although the state has recorded significant milestones, including the interruption of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus since 2024, the responsibility to sustain these gains remains a collective and continuous endeavor. "The fight against polio is not over. Sustaining a polio-free status requires vigilance, improved systems, and absolute commitment at all levels," he declared during the meeting.
Technical Discussions on Strengthening Immunization
During an extensive technical session with the delegation, Dr Bagana led in-depth discussions focused on strengthening upcoming Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs). Key priorities identified included:
- Effective micro-planning for targeted outreach
- Enhanced supervision of immunization campaigns
- Improved vaccine logistics and cold chain management
- Sustainable financing mechanisms
- Stronger monitoring and accountability frameworks
He stressed that quality service delivery remains non-negotiable, noting that every immunisation campaign must translate into measurable impact at the community level, ensuring no child is left unprotected.
Field Assessments and Grassroots Engagement
As part of the comprehensive visit, the commissioner accompanied the delegation on field assessments to selected primary health care facilities. These included the Dr Idris Kuta Primary Health Centre in Minna and the Tutungo/Tedna Primary Health Centre in Paikoro Local Government Area.
The visits provided a valuable opportunity to interact directly with frontline health workers and assess service delivery at the grassroots level. Dr Bagana emphasized that such engagements are critical in bridging policy and practice, ensuring that global strategies are effectively implemented locally with contextual understanding.
Commendation for Development Partners
Dr Bagana also commended the continued support of development partners, particularly UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), for their instrumental role in strengthening the state's immunisation programmes. He reiterated that Niger State remains committed not only to maintaining its polio-free status but also to building a resilient health system capable of responding to emerging public health challenges.
The visit concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to intensify efforts ahead of forthcoming immunisation campaigns. The commissioner emphasized that protecting every child from preventable diseases remains a shared responsibility that demands continuous collaboration between government, international partners, and communities.
