ABUJA – Dr Ado Muhammad, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHDA), on Thursday said Nigeria recorded only five cases of wild polio virus as at middle of August.
Muhammad made the disclosure in Abuja at the 10th meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication.
He said that four cases of the polio virus were reported in Kano, while one was recorded in Yobe.
“We have never been this close; as at mid of August, 2014, we recorded only five cases of wild polio virus in the country.
“We now have improved quality of immunisation coverage with better surveillance in all the states,’’ Muhammad said.
He said that though, there were still challenges such as insecurity and refusal, the country would remain on track.
Muhammad said that the Federal Government had established five National Emergency Operation Centres as part of the efforts to eradicate polio.[eap_ad_2]
According to him, routine immunisation has been doubled, it is not just enough to provide vaccine, but to ensure it is properly utilised.
Also, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, said that accountability had been the main reason for the progress recorded in the polio eradication.
Alhassan said that the last lap of any race was usually the toughest, saying, that “the country must not relent in enforcing accountability.
“We need to redouble our efforts in ensuring that every remaining challenge hindering total interruption of polio virus is tackled head-on.
“We cannot afford to be complacent as it will only reverse the gains we have made and make us a laughing stock before the international community,’’ he said.
Alhassan said that apart from the challenge of insecurity, all other challenges which were mainly operational gaps and refusal could be surmounted, if all the stakeholders could be focused.
He advised the state Commissioners for Health to collaborate with the Commissioners for Local Government Affairs in their respective states to address the operational issues.
The minister advised them to report on the status at the next meeting of the task force. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]
