In a bid to bolster partnership and tackle polio in the North East region, a joint delegation from the Borno and Yobe States’ Primary Health Care Development Boards (PHCMB) has asked the Theatre Command Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) for strong collaboration.
The delegation, led by Muhammed Arab Alhaji, the Executive Secretary of the Borno State PHCMB, said they were at the Headquarters of the Theatre Command to solicit enhanced security collaboration with Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).
He noted that the partnership aims to facilitate the implementation of the polio vaccination programme in vulnerable and inaccessible areas, in line with the World Health Organization’s Reaching Inaccessible Children (RIC) initiative.
Alhaji emphasised that the security support would ensure a smooth immunisation process and safeguard the well-being of health workers, enabling them to carry out their duties effectively.
Alhaji further explained that achieving this goal would be challenging without Military support, given the region’s peculiar security challenges.
He expressed gratitude for the Military’s significant contributions to immunizing over 432,345 children between 2016 and 2024 in inaccessible communities.
Responding, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Major-General and Theatre Commander OPHK, welcomed the delegation and commended the health Boards for their humanitarian efforts, despite financial constraints. He assured them of OPHK’s continued support in achieving their objectives.
During the visit, the delegation presented updates on Borno and Yobe States’ RIC efforts, engaged in interactive sessions, and exchanged ideas on forging a way forward for a common goal.
