Nigeria records 98% reduction in polio
The executive director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Muhammad Ali Pate, has disclosed that Nigeria has had not less than 98% reduction in poliomyelitis in the last two years.
Mr. Pate, who made the remark in a recent interview with NEXT in Abuja, also said the country has witnessed a drastic reduction in measles, compared to where it was in the past.
“We have had more than 98% reduction in polio compared to where we were in 2008 when World Health Assembly passed a resolution condemning Nigeria. So you have renowned persons like Bill Gate and the DG of the World Health Organization, commending Nigeria, saying Nigeria has done very well.
“In the case of measles, we have seen drastic reduction compared to where we were in the past, but we need to maintain these gains; otherwise, these are infectious diseases that can come back again. We don’t want that to happen. So we are doing all that we can to ensure that they don’t come back again,” he said.
He maintained that the agency had made tremendous progress in its effort at controlling diseases that affect the children across the country.
“We have just completed the first phase of the campaign against measles, and routine immunisation coverage is going on between 2008 and 2010 based on the national immunisation coverage survey. We have seen the revitalisation of the primary health care system through the midwives service scheme and our effort at engaging the community health workers. So, that is an important beginning and we are very confident that if this country continues in this direction, overtime, we will see basic service becoming more available and people becoming more healthier,” Mr. Pate said.
On the just-concluded immunization programme, he said it was a successful one, pointing out that the End Process Data is being compiled.
He, however, said that more investment needs to be seen in prevention and guaranteeing immunisation, noting that financial support for the agency has always not been enough.
The executive director further said for the country to achieve its 20:20: goals in the health sector, everyone must be involved, as such demands a national effort.
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