From from Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
As the World commemorate the 2024 Polio Day, World Health Organization, (W.HO), said between January and September 5, 2024, 134 polio type 2 detections were reported jointly in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali and Niger.
Regional Director WHO, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday.
Moeti said to quickly eradicate the variant poliovirus in the countries, a renewed collaboration, especially along borders, government leaders, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners were formed in July and August 2024 to develop a coordination plan.
According to him, following the joint collaboration, nearly 70 million children in high-risk areas in the affected countries have been vaccinated since the beginning of the year.
He said despite substantial efforts, the virus persists in these regions, fueled by factors like insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and high levels of population movement.
He called for strong political commitment to the fight against polio, acknowledging the urgent need to enhance surveillance, especially in underserved areas, to accelerate response to any new detections.
“Equally important is the need to scale up high-quality vaccination campaigns. The latest Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) report also underscores the need for enhanced community engagement.
Moeti noted that despite the challenges “We are now closer than ever to a polio-free Africa. This year, our region has reached significant milestones, including the notable success of Madagascar, which has now gone a full year without detecting circulating variant poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1).
“In Southern Africa, we marked the closure of the imported wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) outbreak that was declared in 2022. The swift and coordinated efforts of Malawi, Mozambique, and neighboring countries Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe also inspire optimism.”
He said the achievements highlight the strength of joint action, the resilience of our communities, and the unwavering dedication of frontline health workers.
Data equally bear out these results. When comparing them from 2023 and 2024 (as of 31 August for each year), cVDPV1 detections have decreased by 96%, while cVDPV2 detections have dropped by 65% in the African Region.
“It is important to recognize that the countries in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel have also united to tackle a new and pressing challenge: the continued transmission of circulating variant polio type 2 (cVDPV2).”
He called on all governments, partners, and communities to recommit to the cause and honour the sacrifices and dedication of the health workers, community leaders, and families who make the progress possible.
He said “Our success is not just Africa’s, it is the world’s. With sustained momentum, strong leadership, and global solidarity, a polio-free future is within our reach. Together, we can attain a polio-free world.”
