They have also been assured that the polio immunisation exercise in the country is devoid of the speculation being carried out in other countries to the effect that the drugs used were contaminated to cause infertility.

Dr Akwasi Twumasi, senior medical officer of the Northern Region Directorate of Health Services gave this advice at a press briefing to launch the Polio Immunisation Day in Tamale.

The exercise is expected to take off from today, April 8 to Sunday, April 10 in all the 18 districts of the Region.

The exercise is being organised by the Northern Region Health Directorate in collaboration with the UNICEF, WHO, NGOs and other partners.

Dr Twumasi said it was very important for the public to ensure that every child was immunised against the disease because of the spread of a wild poliovirus in neighbouring countries.

He said last year, the country successfully concluded the immunisation exercise and expressed the hope that the target of 677 children to be immunised this year would be achieved.

Dr Twumasi commended the volunteers and other collaborators for their support in the provision of vehicles to transport nurses and other staff to undertake the immunisation exercise.

Alhaji Abdul-Rahamani Bashiru, the regional health promoter, urged people to change their lifestyles and develop healthy eating habits to avoid contracting diseases.