The misconception by some parents in parts country have been identified as the major factor affecting the smooth eradication of Polio in Nigeria.
Dr Amos Ujulu, Director, Disease Control and Immunization, Adamawa state Primary Healthcare Management Agency, made the observation during a one day Media Executives and Journalists against Polio review meeting held in Yola recently.
The review meeting was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Management Agency.
Ujulu noted that the sad development had caused a very low coverage and participation of parents for their children to be immunised, especially in the Northern part of the country.
“According to the National Statistic of routine immunization coverage, out of the 18 low coverage states in the country, 17 are in the North.
“Misconceptions from some quaters remain a big challenge affecting immunization exercises, especially in the Northern part of the country.
“Therefore, Media Organizations have a great role to play in community awareness, to eradicate the polio virus in totality,” Ujulu said.
He called for collective working synergy between the Media, UNICEF and government for successful poliomyelitis eradication.
In their separate remarks on behalf of the participants, Mr Yusuf Na-Dabo, the General Manager, Adamawa State Television and Zare Baba, Secretary State Council of NUJ, noted that the programme came at a right time.
They gave the assurance of a level playing ground with the organizations in creating awareness and sensitization of communities toward eradication of all children killer diseases.
