Nigeria’s stakeholders are committed to eradicating polio transmission by December 2025, with support from WHO. Key discussions during the NTLC meeting emphasized the necessity for traditional leaders to enhance community engagement and overcome challenges like vaccine hesitancy. Traditional leaders pledged to strengthen vaccination efforts, demonstrating a unified response to ensure no child is unvaccinated.
Stakeholders in Nigeria have reinforced their commitment to eradicating polio transmission by December 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to assist the Nigerian government in fortifying Primary Health Care (PHC) systems and implementing innovative strategies to meet this goal. This initiative was highlighted by WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, at a recent meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on PHC Delivery in Abuja.
During the meeting, Professor Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, commended the NTLC for their dedication to mobilizing communities and overseeing vaccination campaigns against polio. He reiterated the urgent need to eliminate the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) in Nigeria by the end of the year 2025, urging traditional leaders to leverage their influence to enhance community trust in immunization efforts.
Professor Pate praised the NTLC’s consistent quarterly meetings, highlighting their crucial role in Nigeria’s primary health care landscape. He implored traditional leaders to increase their engagement and actions to effectively counter the challenges posed by cVPV2, emphasizing that immediate and decisive action is necessary for success in the coming year.
In his address, Dr. Mulombo acknowledged Nigeria’s recent challenges in the polio eradication program but affirmed WHO’s commitment to support Nigeria’s efforts. He also announced that the Ibadan polio laboratory has achieved full accreditation for polio sequencing, underlining its importance in detecting and reporting polioviruses and other enteroviruses.
Despite significant progress, Nigeria continues to report cVPVD2 cases. Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), identified pressing challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, security issues, and inadequate immunization coverage. He emphasized the need for the NTLC’s support in ensuring no child is left unvaccinated.
Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, the Emir of Argungu and NTLC chair, expressed appreciation for the ongoing support from the government and partners. He called upon traditional leaders to collaborate with religious and community influencers to enhance vaccination uptake, asserting that every unvaccinated child poses a risk to others in the community.
The NTLC’s quarterly gatherings provide a vital forum for monitoring progress and addressing the complexities of polio eradication and routine immunization. Recent discussions centered on improving maternal and newborn health, the introduction of the rubella vaccine, and the performance of previous initiatives as stakeholders strategized for more unified efforts to combat polio effectively.
In conclusion, stakeholders in Nigeria reaffirm their dedication to eradication of polio transmission by December 2025, supported by efforts from WHO and traditional leaders. The meeting underscored the critical role of community engagement and collaboration in advancing immunization coverage while addressing existing challenges. Sustained efforts will be essential to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated as the nation strives to eliminate polio.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
