WHOTasks Nigeria against Resurgence of Polio

Michael Olugbode

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised Nigeria not to relax on the fact that poliomyelitis has been finally eradicated in the country.

Speaking at the presentation of the last infected case of poliomyelitis in Africa to journalists at the weekend in Maiduguri, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi, said Nigeria needs to be vigilant and ensure that the disease does not creep into the country again.

According to him, “So we need to remain vigilant to continue surveillance and make sure that every child get immunised so that we keep immunisation coverage high enough to protect all the children. We look forward to such time that the global eradication is achieved.”

Kazadi, who noted that WHO’s target is global eradication of polio, and working at pushing the disease from Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two Asian countries where the wild polio virus are still found, advised that: “What Nigeria needs to do is to remain vigilant particularly around the borders.”

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, who presented a gift of a computer to the child last infected by polio virus, said he is excited that polio is eradicated in Africa, and that in spite of the Boko Haram crisis, a good story is coming out of Borno State, the epicentre of the crisis.

He said: “Most of you are aware that Nigeria was the last country in Africa to become polio-free. We should not be complacent, and we should ensure that our children are vaccinated at the appropriate ages with right vaccines to prevent any form of this type of disease again.”