Sokoto studies Saudi Arabia’s immunization success

The Sokoto State government has sent a three-member committee to Saudi Arabia to under study strategies adopted by the kingdom that culminated into tremendous successes in routine immunization.

The leader of the committee, Dr. Bello Arkilla, revealed this to news men in Makkah.

Arkilla said the visit was part of the state government’s marshal plan conceived to combat newborn, maternal and child mortality in Sokoto State.

The committee, he said, would review all literatures on routine immunization, ante-natal care, hospital delivery and to understudy the health contributory scheme being operated by the kingdom which is adjudged one of the best in the world and see how it can be replicated in the state and Nigeria at large.

Daily Trust learnt that their works also entailed interacting with prominent religious leaders, health workers, resident communities as well as visiting some health facilities in the Holy Land.

On what they had gathered so far, he noted:”The kingdom makes immunization compulsory and one must obtain immunization card before taking his child to public school.”

According to Arkillah, “This is why they succeeded in eliminating child killer diseases in the kingdom.”

“These services are being extended to even non-Arab people residing in the country. In fact it is one of the conditions for obtaining work permit in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Another member of the committee, Malam Sani Kwanni, recommended a law banning unimmunized children from public schools.