US Supports Nigeria in Efforts to Stamp out Polio

The Charge D Affairs of U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Mr David Young on Friday revealed that the US has continued to contribute the annual sum of over 23 million dollars to support immunization activities in Nigeria.

Young stated this at the inauguration and official handover of Jikoko Community Health Centre, a self help community project, built with the assistance of Tabitha Cumi Foundation with a U.S. Ambassadorial grant of 10, 000 dollars.

Young said “In addition to the annual contribution the polio programme also received an additional seven million dollars at the national level in 2016 and provided technical assistance in Bauchi, Katsina and Sokoto States.

“Health workers are encouraged to continue to make the provision and demand for immunization a priority,” he said

The envoy said that U.S. always cooperates with other partners and government to make a difference in Nigeria.

“The commissioning of the clinic was an indication that “health is one of the priority areas of U.S. development assistance in Nigeria”. He said

Young who noted that the health of children determines the future of he nation said that U.S support for HIV/AIDS programmes and activities in Nigeria between 2014 and 2016 totaled more than 4.3 billion dollars with more than 700,000 patients treated in 2016 alone.

Giving assurance that the community would make judicious use of the clinic, Mr Ismaila Shaizaza, a representative of the community urged the Chairman of the council to give adequate staff to clinic which is currently with one staff and two volunteers.

The Executive Director, Tabitha Cumi Foundation, Mrs Tayo Erinle also said that the foundation would continue to monitor and evaluate the centre.