The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of wild polio, following the completion of documentation for the free status.
The UN health agency disclosed this on its regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, official twitter account @WHOAFRO.
“Congratulations to 🇨🇲Cameroon, 🇨🇫Central African Republic, 🇳🇬Nigeria & 🇸🇸South Sudan whose documentation confirming their status as #wildpolio free has been accepted by the independent African Regional Certification Commission(ARCC) for polio eradication”.
According to the agency ,ARCC’s decision is based on critical analysis of the four country’s polio surveillance, immunization, laboratory capacity, including field verification visits countries adding that all four countries have shown unwavering commitment & dedication to wild polio eradication.
“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of vaccinators, health workers, partners, all 47 WHO African Region countries have had their #wildpolio free status accepted by the ARCC. The Region is on the cusp of a historic public health success: certification as wild polio free”
Meanwhile, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described the documentation as historical.
“Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by ARCC; the Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.
“Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts.
“I look back at the incredible leadership that has brought us here.
“Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr Aliko Dangote and Mr Bill Gates.
“Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria,’’ he said.
