Its not quite Wednesday (when we reveal our woman crush Wednesday) but here on IBG we are about celebrating women 24/7! So when we heard about Halima Zubair, we felt compelled to share and celebrate her efforts in eradicating polio in NIgeria.
Only three years ago, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide, according to WHO. But thanks to its massive vaccination effort, which involves a collaboration of government groups, NGOs and local health workers, the WHO declared in September of this year that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria.
Halima’s role along with hundreds of other dedicated health professionals has been instrumental in Nigeria’s fight, and now success story on polio eradication.
Halima, a mother of six, works as a community mobilizer with UNICEF, and is responsible for ensuring that children in Gaya, a Local Government Area in Kano State, Nigeria, get lifesaving vaccines and other critical health treatments. Together with her team, Zubair has helpedvaccinate more than 95 percent of the children in her area against polio.
Whenever a new family moves to town, local officials immediately alert Halima Ibrahim Zubair, 37, who’s known around these parts as “Maman Polio” or mother of polio.
It’s because this vigilant advocate works to make sure that no child slips through the cracks when it comes to getting vaccinated against the paralyzing disease that predominantly affects children under 5.
“It pains me when children and women die of completely preventable causes,” Zubair told UNICEF. “This job gives me the opportunity to reach out to the most-in-need and work with them to find solutions.”
As advocates mark World Polio Day on Saturday, supporters are celebrating the work of ardent health workers, like Halima, who have made a measurable difference in wiping out the disease.
Zubair’s efforts have proven successful due to way she strategically identifies families in need and the way she relates to each one.
Gaya presents its own set of challenges since nomads, known as Fulani, descend intermittently on the town for its life-supporting water bodies. Fulani children were often missed during polio rounds due to their capricious movements, according to UNICEF.
To ensure these kids are included in the vaccination efforts, Fulani leaders now call upon Zubair whenever a new group moves in and she immediately visits the new settlers with her vaccination team.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication Halima, we celebrate you and women like you everywhere!!
Source: HuffingtonPost.com
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