Africa almost polio free
Rotary International has worked with the Nigerian government to eradicate the virus
AS soon as mid-year in 2020, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) African region could be certified polio-free.
This after 21 August marked three years since a child in Nigeria was paralysed by the wild poliovirus.
Contributing to this momentous achievement is Rotary International’s global polio eradication initiative partners working with the Nigerian government.
The project has strengthened immunisation and disease detection systems, resulting in the programme reaching more children than ever in some of Nigeria’s most remote places.
‘We can take pride in this progress, but it is not time to celebrate quite yet,’ said International PolioPlus Chairman Michael McGovern.
‘We still have work to do and we must continue making it a priority to reach every child in Nigeria – and other polio-threatened countries – with the polio vaccine, and build strong levels of immunity to fully protect the entire population against the disease.’
As well as raising polio eradication awareness, Rotarians in Nigeria have addressed other basic health needs, including providing clean water to communities.
‘After the African region is certified wild poliovirus free later next year, five out of the six WHO regions in the world will be considered polio free,’ said McGovern.
‘As the first organisation to dream of – and promise to deliver – a polio-free world, Rotary is committed to fulfilling our promise.
‘Our progress in Nigeria is a big step towards that goal, but we need to maintain momentum so Pakistan and Afghanistan see the same level of progress.’
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