BY AZOMA CHIKWE
The World Health Organization announced that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria. This is the first time that Nigeria has interrupted transmission of wild poliovirus, bringing the country and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the public-private partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, called this a ‘historic achievement’ in global health. Nigeria has not reported a case of wild poliovirus since 24 July 2014, and all laboratory data have confirmed a full 12 months have passed without any new cases.
As recently as 2012, Nigeria accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide. This success is the result of a concerted effort by all levels of government, civil society, religious leaders and tens of thousands of dedicated health workers. More than 200,000 volunteers across the country repeatedly immunized more than 45 million children under the age of five years, to ensure that no child would suffer from the paralysing disease. Innovative approaches, such as increased community involvement and the establishment of Emergency Operations Centres at the national and state levels, have also been pivotal to Nigeria’s success.
The Director-General, World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr Margaret Chan in a letter commending this positive development said: “The outstanding commitment and efforts that got Nigeria off the endemic list must continue, to keep Africa polio-free. We must now support the efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan so they soon join the polio-free world.”
Reacting, Dr Ado Muhammad. Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency of Nigeria, said: “We Nigerians are proud today. With local innovation and national persistence, we have beaten polio. We know our vigilance and efforts must continue in order to keep Nigeria polio-free.”
Also reacting, Dr Matsidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “Stopping polio in Nigeria has been a clear example that political engagement, strong partnerships and community engagement are the engines that drive the momentum of public health programmes, enabling them to achieve great things. I would like to congratulate everyone, particularly political, religious and community leaders in Nigeria and across Africa, for reaching a year without cases of wild polio.”
In his remarks, Dr Tom Frieden, Director of United States Center for Disease Control and prevention and Chairman of the Polio Oversight Board said: “This is a clear example of success under very difficult circumstances.”
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