Bano Usamatu, a retired Director at the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, has leveraged his experience and expertise to help the Nasarawa community overcome its hesitancy toward polio immunisation.
Speaking with the Newsmen on Thursday, Usamatu said he combined his experience with sensitisation efforts by UNICEF to overcome resistance.
Alexa News Nigeria reports that Usamatu, is currently the community leader of Nasarawa in Itas-Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State,
Usamatu told Newsmen that he successfully mobilised community members who had previously rejected the vaccine to now embrace it.
“I tapped from my wealth of experience as a health expert, along with UNICEF’s extensive sensitisation campaigns, to engage skeptical households and convince them of the benefits of the lifesaving polio vaccine,” he said.
According to him, the resistance stemmed from widespread myths, particularly the belief that the polio vaccine was a Western ploy to cause infertility and reduce the African population.
“This misconception has long hindered immunisation efforts in the area.
“Today, I can confidently tell you that no household in this community rejects the polio vaccine. The era of rejection is over.
“We are now focused on securing our children’s future.”
Usamatu commended UNICEF and the Bauchi State government for their support in addressing vaccine resistance, describing their role as instrumental to the community’s success.
He also called for enhanced training for the ad hoc staff responsible for vaccine administration, stressing that building their capacity would further strengthen immunisation efforts.
In Anguwan Tsangaya, another community in Itas-Gadau, 48-year-old Haruna Idris shared a similar experience.
He admitted to initially rejecting the vaccine due to fears fueled by misinformation.
“The popular myth that the polio vaccine causes infertility influenced my decision,” Idris said.
“But thanks to UNICEF’s continuous sensitisation, I now understand the truth. All my eight children now participate in every vaccination exercise.”
He added that witnessing the debilitating effects of polio on children in his neighborhood also contributed to his change of heart.
With the growing acceptance of polio vaccines in Nasarawa and Tsangaya communities, the fight against the crippling disease has gained renewed momentum in Bauchi State.
Dr David Audu, Health Specialist at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, affirmed that efforts were underway to reach all hard-to-access settlements across the state to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.
