BY – VICTORIA OJEME

ABUJA – The Federal Government has said that it is one step closer to achieving the goal of eradicating polio in 2017 as it has been one year since the last case of polio was reported in the country.

Consequently, achieving one year without polio is just one of the hurdles the country needs to surmount before being certified polio free in 2017.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI (L) VACCINATING HIS THREE MONTHS OLD
GRAND-DAUGHTER, ZULEIHA BELLO ABUBAKAR WITH ORAL POLIO VACCINE TO MARK
ONE YEAR OF FREE POLIO CASE IN NIGERIA AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA IN ABUJA
ON SATURDAY (25/7/15) WITH HIM IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, DR ADO MUHAMMAD.

The last case of polio in Nigeria was reported exactly a year today in a 16 months old boy from Sumaila, LGA in Kano State. If all pending laboratory investigations return negative in the next few weeks, Nigeria will officially be taken off the list of polio-endemic countries.

Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). Dr Ado Mohammed stated this in a press statement recently said, “Nigeria will only be certified polio free by WHO in 2017, provided it maintains its zero case status, further strengthens its surveillance system, improves routine immunization and maintains high quality campaigns. Consequently, achieving one year without polio is just one of the hurdles the country needs to surmount before being certified polio free in 2017.

“As early as 2012, Nigeria with 122 poliovirus cases, had reported the highest number of polio cases globally and the polio epicentre of the world.

“Today we are looking forward to 2017. We remain committed to finding concrete and sharp solutions to overcome the remaining bottlenecks until we achieve eradication in this country.

“We recognize the need to sustain and re-double our efforts to ensure every child is reached”, declared Dr. Ado J. G. Muhammad, the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“As Nigeria marks one year without a case of polio and embarks on the road to certification, it is important to pay tribute to the hundreds of thoughts of vaccinators, community mobilizers, Traditional and Religious leaders, parents and caregivers who have supported polio eradication efforts for more than a decade, despite the challenges. Nigeria’s achievement in stopping polio will save hundreds of thousands of children from lifelong paralysis or death each year.

” Polio efforts have contributed substantively to improving the health system, including disease surveillance, routine immunization and maternal and child health.
“Today is an important health milestone for Nigerians. But now we call on all Nigerians – health workers, political traditional, religious and community leaders and communities themselves to help us to sustain the gains made towards polio eradication by 2017, when Nigeria will be certified polio-free by WHO.

” Let us not leave any stone unturned until we achieve this collective goal for our country. Working together we can do better”, Dr. Ado Muhammad said.