ADDIS ABABA – The Regional Director, WHO/AFRO, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has commended the government of Nigeria for the initial and prompt respond to the discovery of 2 new cases of polio in Borno State.
Dr Moeti, who made the commendation at the 66th Session of the African Regional Committee Meeting, Addis Ababa, noted the openness of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the overall handling of the process that led to the discovery of the 2 new cases and the immediate declaration of Public Health Emergence in the area.
She particularly commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his directive to the relevant government agency to immediately release money budgeted for vaccines.
Dr. Moeti, who noted the bold leadership of Nigeria in addressing the issue pledged the commitment of WHO and other partners to work with Nigeria to address the problem of polio resurgence in Nigeria, adding that with concerted effort Nigeria will soon attain the zero polio case status.
She therefore called on Nigerians to remain calm as the government is doing the needful to protect the citizens from polio adding that the government posture is a great motivation for WHO and other polio eradication partners to support the country.
Earlier, reacting the public acclamation received by Nigeria at the meeting, the Nigerian Health Minister expressed satisfaction with the level of understanding of the issues around the resurgence of polio showed by the WHO and partners and the level of support promised, especially as regards sourcing for vaccines from wherever it is available to enable all the required rounds of vaccination is achieved across the country.
He also expressed satisfaction on the agreement reached on the need for all the countries of the Lake Chad Basin to work toward kicking out polio out of the region.
Adewole expressed the firm commitment of the Nigerian Government to protect the health of Nigerians.
The Permanent Secretary, Health, Hajia Binta Adamu Bello in her remarks assured that the Federal Government would reposition the work force by training to best practices to enable them face the challenges ahead.
