Dr Walter K. Malumbo, WHO Country Representative and Head of Mission, reveals how some African countries have copied Kano state’s unwavering commitment under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to scaling-up COVID-19 vaccination exercise.
He made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House in Kano, praising how the governor is employing the same strategy he used to eradicate Polio in the state, which culminated in total eradication of the disease in the country.
Malumbo appreciated this by saying, “Sometime in the past Kano state was number 34 in COVID-19 vaccination exercise. But because of your commitment Your Excellency, Kano is now number 4 in the exercise. A tremendous achievement indeed.”
Explaining, “Because of how your administration is scaling up the exercise there are some African countries that are copying from Kano state effort around that area.”
While admitting that Ganduje’s administration is going even faster than it was expected by the world body, in strengthening the process against COVID-19, he assured that, “…Kano has many success stories to tell.”
Concluded that, yesterday it was Polio, “…that was surmounted by this administration. And now we are happy how the state is facing COVID-19 vaccination exercise with vigour and seriousness.”
The Country Representative commended the governor for working hand in hand with traditional institutions during the fight against Polio and now fight against COVID-19.
In his brief response, governor Ganduje appreciated the world body, among other development partners for strengthening institutions and human resource development in the state and the country in general.
Other development partners he mentioned were Dangote Foundation and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.
He expressed his administration’s satisfaction that the state is happy that Polio is gone “…and our capacity is still intact. And we are directing the same to other health areas. We are extremely happy about that.”
Governor Ganduje urged that, “While we are thanking you for all your efforts, we are still battling with this issue of malnutrition. Because of the high cost of dealing with this issue, we are now looking inward to make use of our local supplements.”
“We are therefore requesting partnership in this area of malnutrition. We also need partnership in the area of the public laboratory,” urged the governor.
