WORLD POLIO DAY 2024: WHO CALLS FOR BOLD ACTION TO SECURE AFRICA’S POLIO-FREE FUTURE

By Vincess Okushi 

 

As Africa rallies to become polio-free, the World Health Organization’s outgoing Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, is calling for resilience, commitment, and coordinated action to end polio for good.

 

On World Polio Day 2024, Dr Moeti reflected on Africa’s decade-long fight against polio, acknowledging the extraordinary dedication of healthcare workers, community leaders, and governments that have brought the continent closer than ever to achieving this historic goal. 

We’re on the brink of a monumental victory. she declared.

This progress is the result of tireless efforts from healthcare workers, community leaders, governments, and partners who have united to push polio out of Africa.

Highlighting recent achievements, Dr Moeti praised Madagascar’s first year without circulating poliovirus type 1 and Southern Africa’s success in closing an outbreak of wild poliovirus.

 

Despite this, challenges remain in Regions like the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel with severe risks, such as insecurity and healthcare access limitations, contributing to over 130 new detections in 2024 across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria.

 

To address this, Moeti emphasized the importance of community health workers, particularly in areas where social mistrust hampers vaccination efforts, urging for enhanced community outreach. 

 

She also praised countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya for advancing polio detection with new diagnostic and sequencing technologies, describing this as a game-changer for rapid outbreak response.

This is a moment that calls for vigilance Moeti stressed.

We must enhance surveillance, especially in underserved regions, and rapidly respond to any new cases.

As she prepares to step down, Dr Moeti hopes her successor will build on the momentum, honouring the sacrifices of all who have fought for a polio-free Africa, a triumph that will resonate globally.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here