Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a significant move to strengthen healthcare delivery in the conflict affected Northeast region, the Primary Health Care Management Boards (PHCMB) of Borno and Yobe States have initiated a high level collaboration with the Nigerian Military Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to accelerate polio eradication efforts across hard to reach communities.
The joint state delegation, led by Mohammed Arab Alhaji, Executive Secretary of Borno State PHCMB, met with Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of OPHK, at the Military Headquarters in Maiduguri to formalize an enhanced security partnership for polio vaccination campaigns.
Alhaji emphasized the critical need for military support to implement the World Health Organization Reaching Inaccessible Children initiative, which targets vaccination of children in security compromised areas. “Our health workers face tremendous risks when accessing vulnerable communities still affected by insurgent activities,” Alhaji stated. “Military protection is indispensable to ensure both the safety of our personnel and the success of immunization drives.”
The PHCMB revealed that between 2016-2024, military escorts enabled the vaccination of 432,345 children in previously inaccessible parts of Borno and Yobe States. However, an estimated 158,000 children remain unreached due to ongoing security challenges.
Major General Abubakar praised the health board’s dedication despite funding limitations and pledged OPHK sustained support: “The military recognizes that health security is integral to overall stability. We will deploy specialized units to protect vaccination teams and create humanitarian corridors for medical interventions.”
The Theatre Commander highlighted previous successful collaborations, including the 2023 joint operation that vaccinated 87,000 children in Sambisa Forest border communities.
This partnership exemplifies how security and health sectors can synergize in challenging environments. With the military providing logistical support and armed escorts, health workers aim to achieve 95% polio immunization coverage across all 27 LGAs in Borno and 17 in Yobe by 2025.
UNICEF and WHO representatives commended the model, suggesting its replication in other insurgency affected regions. The collaboration marks a crucial step towards Nigeria certification as polio-free, demonstrating that even in conflict zones, child healthcare remains non-negotiable.
According to the United Nation, Borno State, particularly areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, remains a high-risk zone due to ongoing insecurity and violence. Specific areas like Kukawa LGA, Bama LGA, Dikwa LGA, and Ngala LGA are facing significant challenges, including displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services.
Added that Yobe State are currently facing high levels of insecurity due to ongoing activities of insurgent, These areas include Gujba LGA, where significant displacement has occurred, and Yunusari LGA, and Geidam LGA, where many displaced people from Yunusari have sought refuge, is also experiencing increased security concerns.
Experts said, there is the need to address health issues related to hard to reach risk areas in order to bring an end to unhealthy upbringing.