Return Of Polio: FCT Re-jigs Eradication Task Force

Determined to maintain the zero level of poliomyelitis in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as it returned to Borno state recently, the government of the capital city has decided to re-activate the Task Force that will work towards preventing the disease from entering Abuja, and to ensure routine immunization.
The FCT Permanent, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, who spoke as he inaugurated the Task Force in Abuja on Thursday, said that the action has been taken as a proactive measure to prevent any resurgence of poliomyelitis in any part of the Federal Capital Territory.
Dr. Ajakaiye said that the Administration has also approved the expansion of the Task Force membership in order to ensure sector-wide stakeholder participation.
The Permanent Secretary said that the effort of the FCT Administration is geared towards strengthening Childhood Immunization Services across the 8,000 square kilometers of the Territory.
Dr. Ajakaiye insisted that Abuja must remain the pace setter for the 36 states of the federation to emulate and therefore urged members of the Task Team to work very hard to maintain the tempo.
He said that the FCT Administration would continue to provide all the necessary support to ensure that the programmes earmarked for the sustenance of the agenda are fully implemented.
The Task Force’s terms of reference include ensuring effective leadership and coordination of all immunization activities by the FCT; preparing and regularly review/update a 12 month state plan for the intensification of Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization activities required to interrupt/sustain interruption of wild poliovirus transmission.
Others are to ensure the formation of Area Council inter-sectoral committees to coordinate planning and implementation of quality routine immunization campaigns at local level; to over see preparation of budgets for immunization activities, advocate for timely and adequate resource allocation and ensure judicious use of all funds allocation for these activities as well as coordinate the planning and execution of polio eradication supplemental immunization activities amongst others.
The Task Force is being Chaired by himself, while the Executive Secretary of the FCT
Primary Health Care Board would serve as the Secretary.
Other members of the 35-Member Task Force include some officials of the FCT Administration, Traditional Rulers, Religious Organizations, Media, World Health Organization, UNICEF, European Union, Emergency Agencies as well as the FCT Area Councils’s officials.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Secretary of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. Alice Odey Achu assured that the Secretariat is poised to sustain the zero status of the Federal Capital Territory in poliomyelitis. [myad]