Lagos – The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Thursday said that Nigeria was one step closer to achieving the goal of eradicating polio in 2017, as it had been one year since the last case of polio was reported in the country.
This was contained in a statement by Dr Ado Muhammad, Executive Director of the Agency, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The statement stated that the last case of polio in Nigeria was reported exactly a year ago today, in a 16- month old boy from Sumaila LGA of Kano State.
It said that if all pending laboratory investigations return negative in the next few weeks, Nigeria would officially be taken off the list of polio-endemic countries.
”Nigeria will only be certified polio-free by WHO in 2017, provided it maintains its zero case status, further strengthens its surveillance system, improves routine immunization, and maintains high quality campaigns.
”Consequently, achieving one year without polio is just one of the hurdles the country needs to surmount before being certified polio free in 2017.
‘’As early as 2012, Nigeria with 122 polio virus cases, had reported the highest number of polio cases globally, and the polio epicentre of the world.
”If this progress is sustained with no re-infection,and surveillance remains strong, Nigeria and the rest of Africa. will achieve polio eradication by 2017.
” Government and partners reiterate that it’s going to take a lot of hard work. Polio campaigns will need to continue and reach all children in the country several times a year.
”While there is polio anywhere in this world, every child is at risk. Surveillance needs to become even more sensitive, so that no virus will be missed,” it said.
According to the statement, routine immunisation coverage needs to improve significantly, especially in the northern states.
The statement noted that Nigeria had launched an “all-out” effort, with focused attention, resources and activities on the remaining polio strongholds of the country, particularly the northern states.
It said that special approaches were developed in the security compromised areas, including a focus on reaching the internally displaced populations.
”We recognize that it will only be through strong commitment, coordination underpinned by accountability, that Nigeria will be in a position to stop transmission and sustain the gains through to eradication in 2017.
”Today, we are looking forward to 2017. We remain committed to finding concrete and sharp solutions to overcome the remaining bottlenecks, until we achieve eradication in this country.
”We recognize the need to sustain and re-double our efforts to ensure every child is reached.
”As Nigeria marks one year without a case of polio and embarks on the road to certification, it is important to pay tribute to the hundreds of thoughts of vaccinators and community mobilisers.
”As well as Traditional and Religious leaders, parents and caregivers who have supported polio eradication efforts for more than a decade, despite the challenges”.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s achievement in stopping polio will save hundreds of thousands of children from lifelong paralysis or death each year.
”Polio efforts have contributed substantively to improving the health system, including disease surveillance, routine immunisation and maternal and child health, ” it said.
The statement said that today is an important health milestone for Nigerians.
” But now we call on all Nigerians – health workers, politica,l traditional, religious and community leaders and communities themselves, to help us to sustain the gains made towards polio eradication by 2017, when Nigeria will be certified polio-free by WHO.
”Let us not leave any stone unturned until we achieve this collective goal for our country. Working together, we can do better, ” it said. (NAN)