Stakeholders, including the WHO and Nigerian health officials, have reinforced their commitment to eradicate polio transmission in Nigeria by December 2025. This initiative is supported by traditional leaders mobilizing their communities. Despite ongoing challenges, there is a call for urgent action to strengthen immunization efforts and collaboration to achieve vaccination goals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its dedication to aid the Nigerian government in enhancing Primary Health Care (PHC) systems and implementing innovative strategies. This initiative is part of Nigeria’s objective to eradicate all types of polioviruses by December 2025. Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO Country Representative, addressed this commitment during the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) held in Abuja.
At the meeting, Professor Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, acknowledged the contribution of traditional leaders in rallying community support and managing polio vaccination campaigns. He has emphasized the immediate need to curtail the circulation of poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) by December 2025 and urged traditional leaders to leverage their influence to enhance community involvement in vaccination efforts.
Professor Pate commended the NTLC for their steadfast commitment to PHC and highlighted the necessity for continued engagement. He noted, “This council has remained the most steadfast primary healthcare structure in Nigeria, Africa, and possibly the world. For 16 consecutive years, you have convened quarterly meetings without fail.”
A call to action by Dr. Mulombo underscored the crucial role of leaders in combating polio in Nigeria. He noted that despite challenges faced in 2024, there is an opportunity to change the trajectory of the polio program, stating, “While 2024 has been a challenging year for Nigeria’s polio program, we have the opportunity to turn things around.”
Additionally, Dr. Mulombo pledged WHO’s support in accelerating the accreditation process of the Ibadan polio laboratory, ensuring its readiness to conduct essential sequencing tests for polio. Established in 1993, the laboratory is recognized for its capability to promptly detect and report various poliovirus strains.
Despite progress, challenges remain, as indicated by Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA). He outlined issues such as vaccine hesitancy, missed vaccinations, and security challenges that hinder Nigeria’s eradication efforts, stressing the need for community engagement: “We need to push beyond our limitations and ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.”
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, also addressed the meeting, encouraging collaboration among traditional leaders and religious figures to boost vaccination efforts. He highlighted the need to address the low routine immunization performance in specific regions, stating, “Every unvaccinated child is a risk to all children in our communities.”
The NTLC’s quarterly meetings serve as crucial platforms for assessing progress in polio eradication and related health initiatives. The latest session included discussions on Nigeria’s polio program status, routine immunization updates, and maternal and newborn health while reaffirming collective commitments towards improving healthcare delivery across the country.
The stakeholders’ concerted efforts to end polio transmission in Nigeria by December 2025 underline a significant commitment to enhancing public health. Through collaborative initiatives among traditional leaders, health officials, and WHO, Nigeria aims to eliminate poliovirus effectively. Addressing challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and ensuring community participation are critical to realizing this goal.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
