The Federal Government says it will reconstitute an expanded Presidential Task force on Polio to include the 36 state governors in order to sustain the successes recorded in the efforts to eradicate polio from Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the statement in Abuja on Wednesday at the signing of updated Abuja Commitment on polio eradication.
He said that when reconstituted, the expanded Task force would ensure effective surveillance and routine immunization programmes.
The President, who expressed satisfaction with the progress so far made on immunisation, assured that the federal government would continue to provide strong oversight and funding for polio programme.
He noted with delight that the six states mostly impacted by the disease had signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on routine immunization.
“I am pleased to inform you that the six states mostly impacted by polio have signed MoU on routine immunization.
“This MOU is a commitment by the state governments, namely Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto and Yobe, to strengthen Primary Health care system through community sensitisation and support programmes.
“Based on this, I will take this opportunity to call on all state governors, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health to sustain this momentum to ensure we maintain the zero polio case status,’’ he said.
Buhari thanked Mr Bill Gates, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other members of the polio eradication team for their personal commitments towards total eradication of polio virus in Nigeria.
He particularly thanked Bill Gates for his continued commitment and support to various health care causes in Nigeria especially through maternal and child healthcare programmes.
“I would like to seize this opportunity to thank Mr Gates for his continued commitment and support to various health care causes in Nigeria especially through maternal and child healthcare programs.
“You should be rest assured of the Government of Nigeria’s support as we continue to work together for the betterment of all Nigerians in particular, the vulnerable ones.
“I also recognise the heroic efforts of our polio eradication team under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency of the Federal Ministry of Health as well as the WHO, UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CDC, USAID, Rotary, Faith based organizations, Traditional Rulers, vaccinators and caregivers,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Bill Gates said that 2009 was a turning point in the fight against polio in Nigeria.
“Nigeria cannot afford to lose focus on the ball now,’’ he said. (NAN)
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