KUTA, Niger State — Shiroro Local Government Area has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and community organisations to intensify efforts to ensure that every eligible child receives life-saving vaccines, particularly those who have missed routine immunisation.
The call was made on Thursday at a town hall meeting held at the Director of Primary Health Care’s office, Kabir Musa in Kuta to address vaccine hesitancy, improve community participation and reach zero-dose children who have not received essential vaccines.
The meeting, convened by the Health Educator, Aminu Saleh, brought together health officials, community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss practical ways of improving immunisation coverage across the local government area.
Welcoming participants, the Director of Primary Health Care, Kabir Musa, expressed hope that the discussions would produce practical solutions to the challenges affecting immunisation uptake.
In his presentation, Saleh stressed the need to identify and reach children, especially those under five, who had missed routine vaccinations. He called for stronger cooperation among health workers, traditional institutions, religious leaders and community organisations to ensure that no eligible child was left behind.
The Local Immunisation Officer, Adamu A. Aliyu, highlighted the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases and urged communities to work closely with health workers. He identified public awareness, community mobilisation and greater vaccine acceptance as critical to improving coverage.
Victoria Jones, UNICEF representative and facilitator for Shiroro LGA, commended participants for their engagement, emphasising that protecting children through immunisation required collective action by health authorities and community leaders.
Speaking during the interactive session, the Chairman of the Mai Anguwa Forum, Malam Salihu Jagaba, said members of the forum had continued to mobilise residents and encourage participation in immunisation activities despite challenges in their communities.
He pledged to strengthen the forum’s efforts and ensure that residents’ concerns were communicated to the Department of Primary Health Care and other relevant authorities.
Similarly, the Hakimin Kudu and Chairman of the Ward Health Development Committee representing Shiroro LGA, Malam Haruna Muhammad, praised the health department for involving traditional leaders in public health campaigns.
He said traditional institutions could play a crucial role in improving vaccine acceptance because of their close relationships with residents. He reaffirmed their commitment to helping health workers raise awareness, mobilise communities and encourage parents and caregivers to present eligible children for vaccination.
Musa also urged stakeholders to sustain their engagement with residents, address misconceptions about vaccines and use their positions to promote immunisation and other preventive health services.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to strengthen collaboration between health authorities, traditional and religious leaders, and community organisations to reach children who have missed essential vaccinations.
Participants were encouraged to take accurate health information back to their communities, respond to residents’ concerns and continue supporting health workers to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Released by: Shiroro LGA Information Unit
