By Sola Ogundipe
ABUJA — THE Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has so far invested a total of $120 million (N18 trillion) to the polio eradication drive in Nigeria just as the Federal Government investment this year in kicking polio out of Nigeria amounts to N3 billion.

Co-chairperson of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, told Vanguard that a total of $815 million (N122.25 trillion) had so far been spent on the Global Polio Eradication  Initiative.

Gates who was in Nigeria to learn more about the country’s dramatic improvements since his last visit in February 2009,  however, observed that an estimated $1.3 billion (N195 trillion) in additional funding was still required to support the polio eradication activities over the next three years, 2010-2012.

Speaking in Abuja, the billionaire philanthropist stressed the need for continued financial support of polio efforts.  “All Nigerians should be proud of Nigeria’s recent progress against polio. Thanks to committed political, traditional, and religious leaders, dedicated health workers, and loving parents who want to protect their children, Nigeria is on a path toward eliminating polio,” he said.

He pointed to Nigeria’s record-low number of polio cases in 2010 and noted that support from political, traditional and religious leaders had been a key factor.  Commending the significant gains made by Nigeria, he called on the country’s leaders to finish the job.

Gates also noted the need for Nigeria to continue to strengthen routine immunization so that the gains made in polio could be sustained. He strongly encouraged leaders to make the health of women and children a priority and ensure that these lives could be saved through the use of vaccines and other inexpensive solutions.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, however noted that the polio eradication programme was an arrowhead for transforming the polio eradication process and the primary healthcare system.

“Partnership is the key to the whole idea of maintaing the success. The Federal Government this year alone appropriated N3 billion for the polio eradication mission and that is part of the stream of investments into the programme,” he said.
Beyond that there are many other resources being put in that cannot be quantified.

President Goodluck Jonathan; President Bills and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. William Gates and Vice President Namadi Sambo during a meeting at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

“We cannot really quantify what we are spending. All we know is that we are getting more results not directly as a result of additional money but more as a result of prudent use of the what we have and we hope to continue to do so and hope the resources would not dwindle. We are optimistic that with the commitment of all, we will go very far in preventing polio and other vaccine prevention diseases.

“We have made tremendous progress since Mr. Gates’ last visit to Nigeria, but it is not time to rest on our laurels,” said Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Executive Director of the NPHCDA, who spent time with Mr. Gates during both visits.

“Until we succeed, Nigeria remains the only country in Africa where polio is still endemic.”

“Polio eradication remains an urgent priority for our foundation, but like many of our programs, this is a global effort that requires a global investment,” Gates said.  As polio_affected countries like Nigeria and India step up and do their part, donor governments must stand with them and support the final push toward polio eradication.”

Polio cases in Nigeria dropped 99 per cent in the last one year,  “Only three cases of the disease were reported uptil  June 1 of this year, compared with 288 reported during the same period in 2009.

The NPHCDA also reported a steady increase in the number of children under age five who have received the oral polio vaccine.  However, there are still too many children who haven’t received the minimum number of doses to ensure they are protected against the virus. “ he remarked.