Insurgency hindering polio eradication in Nigeria — Official

The Africa Regional Certification Commission for Polio (ARCC) said insurgency remains a hindrance towards polio eradication in Nigeria.

The commission therefore urged the Government of Nigeria to strengthen surveillance programmes towards ending wild polio virus in the region.

Prof. Rose Leke, Chairperson of the commission, made this known during the ARCC regional meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Leke noted that in spite of the progress recorded in Nigeria on its bid to end polio, there were inaccessible areas in the countries due to insecurity in some part of the country.

“We don’t know what is happening in those areas and I think that is a problem,’’ she said.

However, she commended the efforts of the Nigerian government through the partnership between the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Army to make the inaccessible areas to shrink to smaller units.

She said there were smaller units in the areas affected by the insurgency and we don’t know whether there is polio there or not.

“The last time Nigeria records significant progress and record no cases of wild polio virus suddenly the case emanated from Borno State.

“This time we better say a little about eradication, but strengthen our efforts to move in to the inaccessible areas.

“The government is doing everything possible to cover all the affected areas and then we can say there is no polio there and subsequently, we can declare that Africa is free from polio,’’ she said.

Leke said the Nigerian government has put in a great effort and much progress has been made toward ending polio in the country. (NAN)