In commemoration of World Polio Day 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Director, Dr. Moeti Matshidiso, stated, “Although one case of polio is one too many, this year has seen a decrease in the number of detections in our region. From 438 circulating variant polio cases reported this time last year (end of September 2022), we now have 304 cases in the same period this year.”
According to him, “This represents a decrease of 31% in the number of cases over the past 12 months.”
Moeti Matshidiso made this declaration in his message to commemorate 2023 World Polio Day, saying, “We have made significant progress and are on the threshold of polio eradication. We are getting there. As we mark this World Polio Day, let us renew our efforts to ‘Make Polio History’ in Africa.”
He expressed confidence that, with timely and effective interventions in response to ongoing poliovirus outbreaks, WHO in the African Region has continued its stride towards ending this debilitating virus.
The WHO Country Director added, “Moreover, we have seen no wild polio detections in our region in over a year. These results offer hope that the African Region will halt poliovirus circulation to reach the global goal of polio eradication.”
He added, “In this last mile, however, we can’t rest on our laurels because 21 countries in the African Region are still experiencing circulating variant polio outbreaks at this very moment. Some of them are in areas that have not seen any previous circulation in decades.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected our fight too, leading to a dip in population immunity and a resurgence of certain poliovirus types. This, combined with challenges related to vaccine availability, has heightened transmission risks. Last year’s wild polio cases in Malawi and Mozambique were a stark reminder that until the world is wild polio-free, all countries and regions remain at risk,” Moeti Matshidiso added.
He stressed that “to counter this, Member States are rapidly declaring and responding to polio and other health emergencies during outbreaks.”
“I reiterate the tremendous efforts made in each country of the African Region on delivering high-quality vaccination campaigns and routine immunisation as critical steps towards our region’s path to polio eradication,” he added.
He also said that “in addition, cross-border coordination for joint actions to track poliovirus and vaccinate children on the move continues to be a priority to end polio. Also, the use of innovative health solutions has a critical role to play in monitoring the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns.”
The WHO Country Director, however, stated, “Our overall objective in the African Region is to stop the transmission of all types of polio and to integrate polio assets into activities to strengthen broader disease surveillance, outbreak response capacities, and immunisation services.”
According to him, “This aligns with the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026: Delivering on a Promise. I count on the continued assistance of all our partners as we work with our Member States to prioritise reaching ‘zero dose’ children, sometimes living under the most difficult circumstances, and ensure quality and successful campaigns.”
He added, “I look forward to the enduring support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and Gavi in the African Region to close the widening immunity gap and bring immunisation back to pre-pandemic levels.”
He acknowledged the momentum of political commitment and the recent innovative finance partnership (by the EU Commission, Gates Foundation, UNICEF, and the European Investment Bank).
According to him, “This is essential to making polio history and, in doing so, strengthening our health systems. Polio currently constitutes the only public health emergency of international concern, and we must continue to advocate to ensure the required action is carried out.”
“Let’s continue these efforts: first, enhance surveillance; then, increase the scale and scope of our response; and finally, maintain our dedication and commitment to the eradication effort,” he added.
He emphasised, “That was how we ended wild polio in Africa when, on August 25, 2020, the Africa Regional Certification Commission for Poliomyelitis Eradication declared Africa free of indigenous wild poliovirus Type 1.”
Moeti Matshidiso concluded, saying, “With the same perseverance, we can end all forms of paralysis caused by all types of polioviruses. I extend my deepest gratitude to every one of our partners. Your dedication and efforts are the lifeblood of our shared dream: a world free from polio.”
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