x

Polio Alert: FG engages experts to put measures in place to safeguard Nigeria from Malawi virus- NPHCDA

By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

The Federal Government said it has engaged experts to put measures in place to safeguard Nigeria from the recent outbreak of the Wild Polio Virus, WPV, in Malawi.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said the measures put in place is to protect Nigeria against the importation of the virus from Malawi Polio outbreak.

Shuaib said, ” One of such measures is the reactivation and reconstitution of the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization, ERC.
According to him the ERC provides expert advice and guidance on strategies and approaches for polio eradication can and routine immunization.”
it has become imperative to reactivate the committee following the recent outbreak of WPV in Malawi and the outbreaks of circulating variant of polio virus type 2 (cVPV2) in Nigeria, he emphasized.

In light of this, the ED said that the committee meets periodically to review the country’s polio eradication and routine immunization programmes taking into consideration population-based and laboratory studies, programmatic approaches, cost information, and other issues so as to provide a holistic and practical advice to the country.

Accordingly, the ERC would work with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to come up with multistakeholder plans to strengthen surveillance, build population immunity, mitigate against and control all forms of polio viruses, the NPHCDA boss disclosed.

The reconstituted 12-member expert committee is headed by a public health expert, Prof. Akin Osibogun with members drawn from the academia, the media, donors and development partners including WHO, CDC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Other members are Prof Dorothy Esangbedo, Prof Shuaib Bello, Prof Clara Ejembi, Prof Sade Ogunsola, Prof B.S.C. Uzochukwu, Prof Ilayisu Zubairu, Dr. Muhammad Dallatu, Mr Mannir Dan Ali, Dr Steve Cochi (CDC), Mr Aidan O’Leary
(WHO) and Jay Wenger (BMGF). The reconstituted ERC have a renewable tenure of two years and will be inaugurated at a date to be announced soon.
The agency recalled that the ERC’s expert advice contributed immensely to the country’s achievement of WPV-free status in August 2020.

Hot this week

Manchester United’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures

As the season approaches its decisive final stretch, Manchester...

PDP: Wike Charges Opposition to Strife for Electoral Victories

By Joyce Remi- BabayejuThe FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike...

NCA Urges Probe of Alleged ₦2m Bounty on Pastor, Warns of Security Risks

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Northern Christian Association (NCA)...

Abia Establishes Rehabilitation Centre for Rape, GBV Survivors as Otti Signs Law

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed into law...

Don Jazzy Uses ‘Butter Ice Cream Cake’ Analogy to Discuss Modern Marriage Trends

Nigerian music executive Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don...

Abia Establishes Rehabilitation Centre for Rape, GBV Survivors as Otti Signs Law

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed into law...

APC fixes primaries, pegs presidential form at ₦100m

The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for...

Amagbein Distances Self From Alleged Plot To Disrupt Pro-Tinubu Campaigns Over Pipeline Surveillance

By Our CorrespondentNiger Delta ex-agitator, self-styled General Endurance Amagbein,...

FCT NUT Strike Disrupts School Resumption Ahead of WAEC Exams

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuSchool resumption across the Federal Capital Territory...

Borno: Bandits allegedly blocked Buratai, Damaturu road, abducted 30 Wednesday 

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Bandits suspected to be Boko Haram...

IHR Applauds Kebbi pilgrims Board For Early Flight Manifest Release, Urges Others To Follow Suit.

By Jabiru Hassan.A faith-based civil society organisation, Independent...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img