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World Polio Day: Anambra First Lady maintains call for renewed awareness

Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo says renewed actions should be adopted in the last lap efforts to completely eradicate poliomyelitis in Nigeria.

Mrs Soludo, who stated this in Awka in a statement to commemorate the 2023 World Polio Day, said that renewed awareness on the existence and threats of polio must be increased as so many households are still not fully aware of the current ravage of the disease.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus which can spread from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, causing paralysis.

According to a 2023 report by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, there was a decline from 1028 cases of the virus as at 31st December 2021 to 168 cases as on the 31st December 2022.

The report says that the virus is currently confined primarily to two states in the northwest zone of the country, namely Sokoto and Zamfara.

Discussing the importance of the global date, Mrs Soludo said that despite concerted efforts that have been made over the years to take out the deadly disease, there is the need to adopt a more comprehensive approach to completely get rid of the virus in Nigeria.

One of the approaches, she pointed out, is to increase the tempo and coverage in awareness creation and education of parents, especially those in rural communities, on how dangerous poliomyelitis is, the symptoms and vaccination importance.

The Anambra governor’s wife who is Rotary International’s Polio Ambassador, noted that mothers should also be made to understand the importance of polio vaccine, when their babies need them and what to do when they observe related symptoms.

She praised the efforts of critical stakeholders, including Rotary International, who have been in the forefront of decades-long war against the dangerous sickness.

Mrs Soludo also pledged her commitment to lead the line for the total safety of all Anambra children from the virus, stressing that part of the investments in the state’s health sector as is being championed by the present administration, is not just to checkmate existing problems but to prevent distant cases.

According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Polio Day, marked on October 24 of every year, provides an opportunity to highlight global efforts toward a polio-free world and honor the tireless contributions of those on the frontlines in the fight to eradicate polio from every corner of the globe.

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