By Umaru Maradun
Gusau
Zamfara state government is to receive the sum of $500, 000 award from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for being free polio state within the last two years.
This was announced yesterday by the state Director Primary health Care, state ministry of health, at a monthly routine meeting with all the 14 local government immunisation officers, held at trade centre, Gusau, described the award as the outcome of routine immunisation stakeholders commitment towards improving the health sector of the state.
He said the state had not recorded any single polio compatible case within the last two years, adding that, the last four polio virus cases that was discovered in the state was in early 2012, which government and key stakeholders to strengthened their efforts in ensuring the state become free polio.
He said the foundation had also agreed to invite the state governor soon at the United States of America for a colourful reception on the success recorded in the state.
The director charged the 14 local council immunisation officers and developmental partners supporting routine immunisation activities in the state to consider this development as worthy of appreciation, and continue to render all their necessary support for the state to maintain and improve its routine immunisation services across facilities in the state.
It could be recalled that, in 2012, Zamfara won USD750, 000 from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for being best routine immunisation performing state among North West states.