By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The World Health Organization (WHO) has lamented that in spite of the monumental achievement recorded in the fight against poliomyelitis in Nigeria, there still exist circling variants of polio virus in our communities currently.
The assertion was made by the Representative of the World Health Organization in Bauchi state, Dr Mustapha Umar MaiIyali while speaking during the activities to celebrate the 2024 World Polio Day.
He said that the development has frontend that more strategic interventions for polio vaccination need to be intensified in order to achieve herd immunity across board.
Mustapha Mai-Iyali also said that WHO has played a pivotal role in the efforts to eliminate polio in Nigeria, pointing out that Nigeria saw a significant decline in polio cases, from 1,126 in 2006 to 27 in 2019.
According to him, the certification of Nigeria on June 18, 2020 as polio free by the African Regional Certification Commission showed an improved vaccination coverage where WHO-supported SIAs reached of millions of children through enhanced surveillance systems detected and responded to polio outbreaks.
Mustapha MaiIyali further revealed that WHO is still in the forefront of ensuring that the feat achieved was improved upon by making sure the there is no Zero dose in the Bauchi State.
He then commended other implementing partners for the commitment to the course of improved maternal and child health in Bauchi state over the years assuring that with such collaboration, the set objectives will be achieved.
Also speaking, State Commissioner of Health, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam commemded and Emirate Council of Health for playing significant role in Mobilization of their subjects to accept the various health campaigns.
The Commissioner also commended the Implementing partners for supporting the state in improving healthcare service delivery through grants and technical support.
He then expressed readiness of the State Government to continue to partner with all relevant stakeholders in the move to give quality, standard, effective and efficient healthcare service delivery.