ABUJA (Health Ministry’ Report)- Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has commended the Minister of Health , Prof. Isaac Adewole on his proactive initiative in the polio control.
Speaking at the 11th meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication, chaired by the Vice President on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, which took place at the council chambers immediately after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, the Vice President re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to bring the disease under control and free the country from polio.
The Vice President who pledged the prompt release of funds appropriated for the eradication of polio once the budget was passed into law also directed the relevant governors to tackle polio with all seriousness and commitment it deserved.
Earlier, while briefing the meeting on the status of polio eradication in country, the Minister said that the current PEI programme was on track to contain the spread of Wild Polio Virus through a robust International outbreak response and enhanced surveillance activities.
Adewole also informed the meeting that strategy and priorities for 2017 Polio Eradication Initiative would be underpinned by strict adherence to the accountability framework.
According to him, the gains of 2016 would be built upon in 2017, and that so far over 4,382 from the hitherto remote areas had been immunized with polio vaccine after 2-3 years of non-vaccination. In a special programme called Reach the Inaccessible Children (RIC), he appreciate officers and men of the Nigeria’s Air force for their support.
The meeting which deliberated on the current government’s efforts to combat the spread of the diseases in the county especially in the North-East had in attendance the State Governors, the Health Ministers, Representatives of WHO and United State Centre for Disease Control (USCDC), Interfaith Agency and the Executive Director of Nigerian Primary Health care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib .
Nigeria has achieved over one year polio- case free since August 2015.
