Polio campaign-Nigeria - Syringes and needles meant for the just concluded measles and polio campaign fell short as the state witnessed large turn out of mothers and their wards on the first day of the exercise. A vehicle conveying the medical consignment from Enugu, broke down on the way, posing serious challenges for the commencement of the campaign in the state, the vaccination team of the five-day long exercise were told during a meeting in Lafia, for the final preparation for the kick-start.

The problem threatened the exercise in most communities as immunization officers continued to run back to their service points to press for more supplies.

The problem was further compounded by the large turn out for the on going vaccination exercise, Daily Trust observed in most communities visited in Lafia, the state capital, and Doma Local Government Area.

"This is the major challenge we had with the commencement of the exercise", the Mr. Abraham Osaka, the Local Immunization Officer for Doma said. This is just as Dr. Ladan Hassan, the focal person for Gayan Ward, and Mrs. Lamin Peter, the focal person for Zanawa Ward, all of Lafia reported the same problem.

This compelled the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in the state to direct immunization officers to use Routine Immunization (RI)syringes and needles to inject the anti-measles drugs while the supply from Enugu is being awaited.

Mrs. Amoo Olakumbi, the representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in Doma confirmed the development when she spoke to Daily Trust at the local government council.

"We envisage the problem because the vehicle conveying our supplies from Enugu broke down along the way. But we are on top of the situation because we are using the ones meant for RI", she said.

State Immunization Officer, Suleiman Abdullahi Mohammed confirmed this problem, but disclosed that repairs had been carried out on the vehicle to deliver the consignment. "We are yet to receive the consignment from the national, but I learnt the vehicle has been fixed and will make delivery today", he added.

Ruby Leo And Hir Joseph

Daily Trust/15/02/2011