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One of the founding members of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary Club, on Monday, said Polio disease still poses a threat globally despite the recent pronouncement of polio-free Africa by the World Health Organization.
This was made known by the Rotary Clubs In Kwara State during a press briefing to flag off the 2023 World Polio Day, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, the state capital.
Addressing Journalists, Youssef Sanders Past President Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro Kwara State Polio Representative 2023-2024 said “Polio, once a devastating scourge, has been on the brink of eradication globally. for several years, thanks to the unwavering commitment of organizations like Rotary International which Rotary Kwara and Nigeria have played a pivotal role in bringing the scourge to a polio-free world.
“Rotary contribution to Polio eradication in Kwara state has been nothing short of extraordinary. Our involvement spans multiple fronts, including financial support, vaccine distribution, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
“These campaigns and efforts in ensuring every child is protected from the virus have reached the remote and underserved communities in the whole sixteen local government areas in the state.
He further disclosed that nothing less than 2.5 billion children have been vaccinated across the globe since the beginning of the campaign. Added that the battle is not yet won, said “Polio still poses a threat and there is much work to be done. The general populace must support organizations like Rotary International in their relentless efforts to reach every child with the polio vaccine.
Also speaking at the press conference, Micheal Oguntoye, past president of Rotary Club of Ilorin, G.R.A, said Nigeria once considered one of the last strongholds of the virus has made remarkable strides as a result of combined efforts of government and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Added that sensitization campaigns and awareness are still very important due to the recent discovery of the virus in a country like Mozambique which is not far from Nigeria.
“The world is a global village and somebody can contact it in Mozambique and a few hours later he finds himself in another country like Nigeria, and it can be easily spread, that is why we keep up awareness campaigns and vaccination,” he said
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