The recently concluded health camps in Nasarawa State represent a landmark achievement in integrated public health, successfully merging the fight against Poliomyelitis with a decisive intervention for Acute Malnutrition.
By moving from simple house-to-house immunizati,on to an integrated health camp model, which the state has set as a new benchmark for reaching rural and underserved communities.
Recognizing that polio vulnerability is often exacerbated by poor nutritional status, the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA), in partnership with UNICEF, launched an integrated campaign.
Instead of just administering drops, over 1.55 million children aged 0–59 months were targeted.
The state however established specialized health camps in high-burden Local Government Areas (LGAs) like Awe, Nasarawa, Keffi, and Toto.
Every child visiting a camp received the nOPV2 vaccine, a nutritional screening, and treatment for minor ailments.
One of the most significant successes of this campaign was the identification and reaching of zero-dose children who had never received a single vaccine.
For Awe, at a camp located at kanje/Abuni ward, the head of the camp, Hajia Safiya Adam, said the turn out was encouraging.
“On the first day, there were not many people, but the subsequent days, the turn out was massive with both children and adults”.
One of the parents by Name Hajia Fatima Hussaini, said she has no idea that such intervention is being carried out despite the announcement made for days.
“I heard the announcement but thought it was the normal polio thing, not until my co wife when passing saw them asked questions and came to inform me about the health camps, both myself and the children benefited from the health camp with Malaria drug and body pain drugs, and ulcer drugs. I’m indeed very excited and appreciate whoever brought this idea. May God reward them accordingly “.
Also in Baure ward, the head of the camp, Hajia Salamatu Musa, was highly impressed with the turn out of the people.
Another patient Alh. Hamza Yakubu, said he appreciates the intervention as he was able to get treatment for high blood pressure and diabetics.
“I appreciates the primary Healthcare Development Agency and UNICEF for the Social intervention, it really help a great deal”.
Meanwhile, the state had declared a state of emergency in Lafia and Nasarawa LGAs due to documented zero-dose cases.
By bringing health camps directly into the heart of rural wards, the government bypassed traditional barriers like distance and lack of awareness, achieving an estimated coverage rate exceeding 95% in the pilot areas.
The success of these camps has provided the Nasarawa State Government with the data and momentum to host the National Council on Health later in 2026. And the state now plans to scale the health camp model from its current 50% pilot phase to cover all 13 LGAs, ensuring that the intersection of malnutrition and infectious disease is permanently addressed.
(VON)