By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The World Health Organization, WHO, has called for renewed commitments by all key players in the vaccines sector to interrupt and maintain zero cases of the cVDPV2 polio strain in Nigeria in 2023.
WHO Country Representative Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo via zoom made this call yesterday in Abuja at the 39th Experts Review Committee on Poliomyelitis and Routine Immunization in Nigeria,
Dr. Mulombo said, “As partners, I believe we achieved a tremendous success so far in Polio eradication in Nigeria, and we are going to put all our effort in making sure that we eradicate Polio in Nigeria.”
“Reaching and sustaining zero cases of cVDV2 in Nigeria in 2023 is achievable, however would demand more efforts on our part.”
We would count on the validation of next steps by the Expert Committee Members and participants to reach the finish line for cVDPV2 interruption in Nigeria in 2023, Molumbo said.
Chairman of Expert Review Committee on Polio and Routine Immunization, Dr. Akin Osibogum noted that Nigeria has recorded a good success in eradication of Polio with the support of partners resulting in 85% drop in incidences of cPV2 in Nigeria.
Dr Osibogun said; “The challenge for us right now is to harness all the available resources in achieving zero Polio that is our goal, and focus on the strategies, including strengthening routine immunization and strengthening the primary health care systems as well as improving on our surveillance capability.”
The Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu said that the NPHCDA ,donors and partners were committed to ensuring that there is zero Polio cases in the year 2023.
Dr, Shuaibu said; “today we gathered here to work out modalities to ensure that the plan to eradicate Polio in Nigeria is sustained. In the last few years, we experienced Circulating Variants of Polio Viruses in some state due to low Immunization routine in those states.”
“He called for engagements with partners and donors to fine-tune plans that will eradicate every single form of Polio cases in Nigeria by end of 2023, whether it is cVpV2, VPV2.”
