Nigeria ‘holds key’ to eradicating polio
Polio could be eradicated in Africa, as it has been in most Western countries, if Nigeria takes decisive action.
That’s according to UNICEF’s executive director, Carol Bellamy, who is meeting with the Nigerian government today.
Over 90% of all cases of polio in Africa are now reported in Nigeria, which is one of only four countries in the continent – and only seven in the world – where the poliovirus is still active.
An intense vaccination programme has limited the disease to the northern states of the country, but it still has a “tenacious grip” there, from where it threatens other West African countries.
Polio affects the central nervous system, and can cause paralysis, muscular atrophy and deformity.
A small number of those infected will actually die because the disease affects their ability to breathe properly.
73 cases have been reported in Nigeria so far this year – leading to hopes that there will be an improvement on last year’s total of more than 200 cases.
Ms. Bellamy will meet President Obasanjo and leaders of the key northern states to discuss ways of meeting the UN’s target of wiping out polio by 2005.
“Nigerians have fought tooth and nail against polio” Ms. Bellamy commented.
“They deserve to be part of Africa’s wider polio success story. The task before us is simple – get the vaccine to every child. Nigeria’s leaders have taken on this task, with all its challenges, and they have achieved astonishing results. Now it’s time for them to finish the job.”
Ms. Bellamy will also look at the issue of HIV/AIDS in young people, and the education of children on her three-day visit to the country.
