United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban
Ki-Moon, has assured Nigeria of global commitment to assist the country
mobilise resources to continue to tame poliomyelitis in view of achieving
certification by 2017.
On a field visit yesterday to a family health
centre at Abuja’s Area 2, Ki-Moon stated that Nigeria’s recent effort acquired
status after exiting the list of polio-endemic countries would help in
“mobilising the necessary resources and financial support” needed to push
through.
“What’s most encouraging at the time is Nigeria has experienced the zero case of polio, exiting the list of endemic countries, but it must maintain the momentum,” Ki-Moon stressed.
“What’s most encouraging at the time is Nigeria has experienced the zero case of polio, exiting the list of endemic countries, but it must maintain the momentum,” Ki-Moon stressed.
This came as Nigeria on July 24 celebrated a
whole year without a case of wild poliovirus, leaving behind countries like
Afghanistan and Pakistan among nations where the virus is endemic and severe.
Contrary, Nigeria must also go two years without
any infection before it will be officially certified by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) as a polio-free country.
Ki-Moon, on a second visit to Nigeria during his
tenure, was received by the FCT’s health officials from the National Primary
Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Ado Muhammad, said:
“It was thought impossible, but Nigeria has done it.”
On immunisation, Muhammad stated that “with the
progress, funding will continue and the UN will continue to mobilise global
partners...so we can eradicate polio and achieve certification by 2017.”
TD
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