Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts got a boost yesterday as Consultant Virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, urged the government to ensure the provision of necessary materials and a conducive environment to eradicate the disease.
Tomori, also the Chairman of Biovaccines Nig Ltd., made this call in an interview with newsmen in commemoration of the 2024 World Polio Day, which is celebrated annually on October 24 to raise awareness about polio vaccination
According to Tomori, adequate funding of the health sector, especially before and during polio vaccination campaigns, is crucial.
He emphasized that health workers administering the vaccines need to be provided with adequate resources, equipment, vehicles, and other materials to make their work easier.
Tomori noted that the lack of access to needed resources like vehicles has been a major challenge in reaching remote villages during immunization exercises.
Despite progress made, Nigeria still faces challenges in getting all eligible children vaccinated.
Tomori decried the lack of commitment from the government, emphasizing the need for a conducive environment for vaccination personnel to work without security threats.
He stated that the government must improve its commitment to eradicating polio by providing a secure environment for vaccination personnel.
Tomori also urged health workers to render their services with more commitment and honesty.
“The Nigerian government need to improve its commitment to ensuring that polio is completely eradicated by providing the conducive environment to ensure that people who are vaccinating vaccinate in peace, with no security problem.
“There is need to provide the health workers who are vaccinating with all the needed materials.
“Each of the unit vaccinating should be well equipped with vehicles and whatever mode of transportation so as to ease their work.
“Going from house to house and from street to street to vaccinate and you are walking under the scorching sun, how many can you do?
“So, let the conducive environment that supports immunisation activities be provided,” Tomori said
He lamented that some vaccination personnel have been known to empty vaccination kits on the ground and report that they had vaccinated children.
He advised against such acts, emphasizing the need for training and education of vaccination personnel to understand the importance of their job.
Tomori’s call to action comes as the world recently marked the 2024 World Polio Day. With continued efforts to maintain high immunization coverage, implement high-quality surveillance, and prepare for potential outbreaks, Nigeria can move closer to a polio-free future.
