KANO STATE GOVERNOR STRATEGY TO IMPLEMENT POLIO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001955

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2013
TAGS: PREL SOCI NI AID
SUBJECT: KANO STATE GOVERNOR STRATEGY TO IMPLEMENT POLIO
VACCINATION PROGRAM

CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE ROGER MEECE. REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).



1. (C) During a November 3 courtesy call on Kano State
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, the CDA expressed concern
about reports that polio vaccination programs in the
state have stalled. The CDA noted that allegations
from various quarters about impure vaccine, Western
efforts to use vaccines to render recipients infertile
and the like, are at best badly misinformed or being
put forward by people with other agendas. In either
case, it would be a tragedy for children to suffer and
polio to spread as a result. The Governor nodded and
took the CDA aside for a private word out of earshot
of all but his Deputy.



2. (C) The Governor quickly and firmly expressed his
understanding of the health problem and his support for
the vaccination program. He noted, however, that he
confronted a political problem. With allegations coming
from various quarters, he could not simply impose a view,
and in any event that would not result in troubled
parents coming forward with their children.
Complicating the picture, he noted that the vaccination
program had in a number of cases recruited young men as
vaccinators who were identified by local residents as
unemployed ruffians, further reinforcing doubts about
the vaccination program's bona fides. Therefore, he
explained, he designated a committee, including experts
and others likely to be sympathetic, to study the issue
and produce an authoritative report. The report is
expected very soon, but the Governor acknowledged that
he had a pretty good idea of its content already. As
expected, it would not find any evidence to support
allegations that the vaccines contained substances
planted by Western interests to render children
infertile, or anything else substantiating criticism
of the program. The Governor also broadly hinted that
he has been consulting with other leaders in the State
to be able to ensure a successful program once the
report has been published.



3. (C) The Charge observed that given accusations of
Western bad intentions, it would not necessarily be
productive to issue public statements on the subject from
the U.S. Embassy. He observed, however, that it would be
useful for UNICEF, the State Government, and other
concerned stakeholders to coordinate a public information
program that would address as fully as possible concerns
and questions. The Governor agreed, and pointed out that
traditional leaders should play a role. The Charge also
emphasized that the U.S. Mission would welcome any
suggestions or thoughts the Governor or his staff might
have as to how the U.S. could be most helpful.



4. (U) USAID Nigeria continues to work closely with the
Federal Ministry of Health, the Northern Governors, and
State Ministries of Health and Civil Society to address
the polio issues. USAID has supported the participation
of Northern States' traditional rulers to emphasize the
critical importance of eradicating polio in Nigeria.
In September 2002, the traditional rulers signed a
communique to support the eradication of polio in Nigeria
and they agreed to allow their communities to participate
in the National Immunization Days (NIDs) held during the
holy month of Ramadan. Subsequent to the signing,
issues arose prompting the states to reassess their
participation in NIDS in the north. USAID funds and
implements training of the vaccinator teams and
supervisors for NIDs in eight of the most seriously
polio endemic states in the north, including Kano,
the epicenter of the polio epidemic. USAID also leads
the National Social Mobilization Committee of the
National Program on Immunization and has forged close
relationships with the Kano state Government as a
result of USAID's child survival activities in nine
of the 44 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
These efforts led to a decrease in the number of wild
polio cases recorded until recently when resurgence was
noted and the number of cases increased. As a result
of the latest outbreaks, the donors, including USAID,
have encouraged the FMOH and states to refocus their
efforts on greater state and community LGAs. Kano
has now adopted the USAID approach to primary health
care to children under five for their entire state,
including a component for the state's approach to polio
eradication.



5. (C) Comment: The Governor's understanding of the
problem and personal commitment to the polio vaccination
program seems clear. We understand that the next round
of polio vaccinations is scheduled to get underway in
December in Kano State. According to press reports,
the Governor's committee report may be out by the end
of this week, providing a good local basis for a strong
public push as to the need and benefits of the
vaccinations. It seems clear that at least some of
those throwing up the allegations know better and have
no real interest in the campaign per se, but are
opportunistically seizing on the program and
people's fears for their own narrow interests.


End comment.
MEECE