‘Despite Ebola, Nigeria will eradicate polio this year’

The Minister of State Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan who was speaking during the 10th meeting of the presidential task force on polio eradication noted that the country has only recorded five cases which were in Kano and Yobe.Dr Khaliru Alhassan who noted that accountability is key warned against complacency saying, “the last lap is usually […]

The Minister of State Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan who was speaking during the 10th meeting of the presidential task force on polio eradication noted that the country has only recorded five cases which were in Kano and Yobe.
Dr Khaliru Alhassan who noted that accountability is key warned against complacency saying, “the last lap is usually the toughest, we need to redouble our efforts in ensuring that the remaining challenges hindering total interruption of the 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.”
The minister said as team leaders and influential stakeholders, “we must be determined in ensuring zero tolerance for polio quality campaigns, refusals and enforcing accountability.”
Earlier the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA), Dr Ado Mohammed gave an overview on the efforts of the committee. “We are making progress. So far, we have only recorded five cases in Nigeria. One in Yobe and four in Kano and if you compare it with other countries, Nigeria has made more progress than any other country in the world.
“If its sustained, by next year, we’re going to exit the group of polio endemic countries, because  Nigeria is already showing signs of interrupting the virus,” he said.
He added that  the spread of the virus itself has reduced  to only five local government areas out of the 774 local government areas .
“What this means is that all the signs a country would show in the eradication of polio are there now. Its not as if our surveillance system is not working. Infact, our surveillance system is  working and working very well.”
The NPHCDA boss said that accountability which was hitherto lacking in the country’s polio transmission efforts, has now become key.
He assured that regardless of the outbreak of Ebola virus and security gaps, the focus on polio remained unwavering, while calling on political, religious and traditional leaders to give it support.