By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina | November 27, 2025
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on media organisations—particularly radio stations—to intensify public sensitisation ahead of the upcoming polio vaccination campaign across Katsina State.
The appeal was made by the UNICEF Representative for the Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama R.M. Farah, during a media dialogue held on Thursday at Albustan Conference Hall, Katsina. The event drew officials from the Katsina State Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), development partners, and representatives of major media houses.
Mr. Farah said UNICEF maintains strong collaboration with the media because of the sector’s critical role in promoting child immunisation and ensuring that every eligible child receives protection against the poliovirus. He noted that the engagement builds on a similar dialogue held in October to strengthen awareness ahead of the new campaign.
According to him, radio remains the most effective channel for reaching remote communities with limited access to television or internet services.
“Radio stations are the most reliable means of delivering accurate health information to rural and hard-to-reach areas. They are the backbone of community enlightenment where modern communication tools are unavailable,” he said.
Mr. Farah commended the Katsina State Government for recording an 80 percent reduction in polio cases between 2024 and 2025, describing the achievement as a significant milestone.
However, he cautioned that polio “knows no boundaries,” adding that as long as a single case exists anywhere in the country, all states remain vulnerable.
“We cannot afford complacency. We must sustain intensified efforts to ensure that every child receives the vaccine,” he warned.
Katsina to Vaccinate 2.8 Million Children Across 34 LGAs
UNICEF disclosed that the forthcoming round of the polio vaccination campaign will cover:
• All 361 wards across Katsina’s 34 Local Government Areas
• 2.8 million children under the age of five
• More than 3,700 health workers deployed statewide, including 961 house-to-house teams
• Over two million doses of the oral polio vaccine
• 993 special outreach teams operating in markets, motor parks, highways, and other congested locations
Mr. Farah emphasised that achieving at least 95 percent coverage of targeted children is essential to eliminating the virus.
Routine Immunisation Remains Critical
He also stressed that routine immunisation remains available daily at health facilities and should not be limited to campaign periods.
“We must ensure that at least 80 percent of eligible children are receiving their routine immunisation consistently,” he said, adding that additional essential health services will be integrated into the campaign to strengthen overall healthcare delivery.
Mr. Farah praised the Katsina State Government and development partners for their commitment, and urged media practitioners to scale up public awareness efforts to guarantee the success of the forthcoming vaccination exercise.
