Polio spreading like rapidly in Nigeria — Official

 

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Dr Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has disclosed that the circulating Mutant Variant of polio is spreading rapidly across the country.

Elelu stated this on Wednesday in Ilorin while speaking at the Agency’s Meeting with Stakholders on Polio Outbreak Response Campaign in Kwara.

The executive secretary, who was represented by the Director of the Agency, Dr Michael Oguntoye lamented that polio is no more a forgotten issue in Africa, after its resurgence.

She disclosed that the state has re-scheduled the mass polio vaccination across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to November 2nd to 5th.

She explained further that the exercise which was initially slated for 21st to 23rd October 2024, was rescheduled as mandated by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

According to her, this is to ensure resources are strengthened for hitch free exercise.

Elelu added that Kwara is among the high risk states of the federation due to the strategic position as a border state, both within and internationallly.

According to her, the government is targeting over a million children for the health intervention.

Elelu observed that the Federal Government has committed huge resources to ensure that polio is eradicated in the country, adding that the Ministry will leave no stone unturned to vaccinate all children in the state.

She advised people to remove any misconception about the vaccines, saying that it is safe and efficacious.

The executive secretary warned that most childhood killer diseases are needless and preventable through vaccination, while enjoining parents to ensure thier wards are vaccinated.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Dupe Shittu, the Social Mobilization Officer, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency explained that the meeting is to brainstorm with stakeholders and get the necessary support for the mass vaccination.

According to her, there are still challenges in some communities and religious groups who refuse to let thier children get immunized.

Shittu urged all stakeholders including the religious leaders, women groups, NGOs and security operatives in the state to collaborate with the government to achieve success in the exercise. (NAN)

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