ABUJA – Nigeria has achieved 87 per cent success in its fight against polio and measles, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said.
Dr Ado Mohammed the Executive Secretary of the agency, made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen at the end of the 2014 meeting of the board of the agency.
He said the agency had since 2012 sustained over 80 per cent success in the fight against the polio virus.
He said that six new cases of the disease were recorded between January and July 2014, adding that the last case of the disease was recorded on July 23, 2014.
Mohammed said the agency recorded 87 per cent coverage of routine immunisation in 2014 as against 60 per cent the previous year.
He promised that the agency would sustain the tempo and also ensure adequate provision of vaccines to eradicate polio from Nigeria.
“We would make adequate provision of vaccines and storage facilities and also ensure the vaccines reach the end users safely at designated centres,’’ he said, adding that the vaccines are given freely to Nigerians.
The NPHCDA scribe said the board commended the presidency for declaring national emergency on the Ebola Virus Disease.
He noted the effort assisted Nigeria in containing the disease within the shortest possible time.
Mohammed commended the National Assembly for passing the National Health Bill.
He described the bill awaiting executive approval as the “biggest achievement to primary healthcare delivery in Nigeria.’’
“If passed into law, the bill will enable the agency provide basic primary health care services such as provision of staff, essential drugs ambulances, training and re-training of staff among others”
“It will also enable the agency to provide medical care to pregnant women and children under the age of five, as well as the disabled and other vulnerable groups who don’t have access to healthcare services, ‘’ he said. (NAN)
