24 July 2006 -- The rough road connecting them speaks of the challenges both local government areas (LGA) have faced in the race to rid Benue State of the wild polio virus (WPV), but Agatu LGA appears to have put the worst behind her, with no reported case since 2003.

National attention was drawn to Agatu when after four wpv cases in 2001, and no case the following year, it again recorded three cases in 2003. Sabo Otache, the Primary Health Care Coordinator remembers 2001 as the year when there was virtually no routine immunization (RI) activity in the area. There was no funding and vaccine supply was inadequate. The number of wpv cases was therefore a wake-up call to his team, which alerted the LGA chairman and the former acting traditional ruler (Och’agatu), Mallam Mohammed Suleman, to the danger. The result was a vigorous mobilization of all communities for optimal compliance during the four polio immunization rounds in 2001.

By 2003 however, and with communal conflict in neighbouring Nasarawa State bringing an influx of displaced people, the situation recurred. The RI coverage had again dipped to 8%, while the supplementary immunization coverage declined from 120% in the first round to 95% in the third. When the three wpv cases were reported, the state Ministry of Health and partners mobilized personnel and equipment to address the challenge, including the previous arrangement where vaccines were obtained from Apa and Oturkpo, and the LGA had to use ice blocks instead of the normal ice-packs during two of the rounds.

Five polio immunization rounds were conducted that year and since then, the LGA has tried to sustain the momentum in RI, with 47 facilities now offering services. A detailed health facility plan identifying outreaches and catchment areas has been operational yearly since 2004. Isah Yahaya, the National Programme on Immunization Manager, explains that a mandatory monthly RI session at each health facility was started while officers who defaulted were sanctioned.

Andrew Ochohepo, officer in charge of the Health Post, Adana in Egba Ward, confesses that he thought it was business as usual when the directive came. By July 2005, the monthly salaries of 23 officers, including his, were stopped. Only one officer confirmed to have been sick, was paid. Andrew learnt his lesson. By March 2006, 29 others had their salaries stopped for not providing RI services, even when their excuse was that they participated in another national activity. Village Health Committees now support vaccine collection, and orientation for service providers are conducted.

In Apa, the picture has been different. The LGA which recorded two wpv cases in 2001, five in 2003 and five in 2005, with no cases in 2002 and 2004, has had to contend with poor electricity supply which was addressed with the supply by NPI of a new generator. An intensive supervision scheme has been in place since June 2005, with the LGA divided into five zones, each of which is supervised by an officer. During the March, 2006 immunization round, each of the 11 wards was supervised by agency and state officials. Thus far, the arrangement is working.

- By Nosa Owens-Ibie