It is exactly one year since the last case of polio was recorded in Nigeria . The last reported case was on 24 July , 2014 , a 16-month -old boy from Sumaila local government area of Kano state . This good news means Nigeria is one step closer to achieving the goal of eradicating polio in 2017, and if all pending laboratory investigations return negative in the next few weeks , Nigeria will officially be taken off the list of polio- endemic countries . However , Nigeria will only be certified polio free by the World Health Organisation, WHO, in 2017 , provided it maintains its zero case status, strengthens its surveillance system, improves routine immunization and maintains high quality campaigns. Consequently, achieving one year without polio is an important step, but just one of the hurdles the country needs to surmount before being certified polio free in 2017 . With 122 cases of polio virus in 2012 , Nigeria had reported the highest number of polio cases in the whole world and was the global polio epicentre. With high expectation , the immediate past Minister of State for Health Fidelis Nwankwo said , “ Our eyes are on the prize, but this is the most critical time in the programme. Because the stakes are so high , we know that the eyes of the world are on us all to deliver and there is no room for complacency until we achieve eradication in 2017. We are far from there yet . We’ re really excited by the historic progress that has been made here in Nigeria . However , we can’ t get distracted by this progress . We are now looking ahead to our next challenge , which is to sustain the momentum on an emergency footing until 2017 , with strong government oversight and continued levels of funding, so that Nigeria can hit the three year mark with no cases, and finally eradicate this crippling disease . ” It is obvious that 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. For this reason , the momentum must be sustained. It is going to take a lot of hard work from the government and its partners . Polio campaigns will need to continue and reach all children in the country several times a year. This is because , while there is polio anywhere in this world, every child is at risk. Therefore , surveillance needs to become even more sensitive so that no virus will be missed and routine immunization coverage needs to improve significantly, especially in the northern states of the country. According to a press release by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA) , Abuja , in collaboration with its partners , on one year without polio in Nigeria , an “all - out ” effort toward eradication of polio was launched in Nigeria with focused attention, resources and activities on the remaining polio strongholds of the country , particularly the northern states . 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 under - pinned 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, ” (NPHCDA) , Dr. Ado J. G . Muhammad , Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency declared in the press release . While paying glowing tribute to the hundreds of thousands of vaccinators , community mobilizers, traditional and religious leaders, parents and caregivers who have supported polio eradication efforts for more than a decade despite the challenges, the Agency noted that Nigeria ’s achievement in stopping polio will save hundreds of thousands of children from lifelong paralysis or death each year, adding that such efforts have contributed substantively to improving the health system, including disease surveillance, routine immunization and maternal and child health in the country. “Today is an important health milestone for Nigerians. But now we call on all Nigerians – health workers, political, 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 un turned until we achieve this collective goal for our country. Working together we can do better, ” Dr . Ado Muhammad said .

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/07/25/nigeria-marks-polio-free-year-set-to-land-certification-in-2017/


lalasticlala

ishilove

Lead us on oh Lord for we still have a long way to go. Thank you for how far you have brought us in our journey to the promise land