Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa for the World Health Organization (WHO), claimed that because of the success of the worldwide polio campaign, no fewer than 20 million children have been spared and are walking today.
According to Moeti, since the historic resolution for the eradication of polio globally was approved in 1988 at the 41st World Health Assembly, global efforts have resulted in a decline in polio cases of more than 99.9%.
According to her, the African Region was declared free of indigenous wild polio in 2020. Types 2 and 3 of the wild poliovirus have been declared to be extinct.
Moeti revealed this in her message to commemorate World Polio Day, which is observed annually on October 24, to raise awareness of efforts being made around the world to eradicate polio and to recognize those who have dedicated their lives to the cause.
This year's World Polio Day theme, "World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children," was introduced at a meeting of WHO, Rotary International, and polio experts in Geneva to explore how to carry on the decades-long fight against polio.
According to her, the African Region was declared free of indigenous wild polio in 2020. Types 2 and 3 of the wild poliovirus have been declared to be extinct.
"This development is commendable and has protected millions of children and their families from this debilitating virus," she said. The discovery of new outbreaks, even in regions where polio was thought to be extinct, serves as a clear warning that if we do not fulfill our commitment to eradicating all forms of polio worldwide, no kid is safe anywhere. The route to cover this final mile is laid out in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative's (GPEI) 2022–2026 Strategy to End Polio. It was very gratifying to see the sizeable worldwide commitment to funding the strategy during the 2022 World Health Summit polio pledging event earlier this month.
"More than US$ 2.6 billion, or more than half the overall objective, was pledged to the strategy by the host nation Germany and 15 other nations as well as charities, international organizations, and various private sector initiatives. We now have a crucial opportunity to step up eradication efforts thanks to this fresh funding commitment. This entails enhanced surveillance and effective immunization campaigns aimed at zero-dose kids for vaccination against all polio strains in the African Region," he stated.
The WHO reported that 32 outbreaks in 10 countries had been successfully contained by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Nevertheless, outbreaks continue, necessitating our continued vigilance and completion of the task. This is essential for Africa to eradicate new wild polio cases and to maintain our classification as a wild polio-free region. According to the most recent data available for the continent, this year has seen more than 250 cases of polio-related paralysis. That is too many by 250.
He noted that 500 million doses of the vaccine, 95% of which were given in Africa, have been given worldwide to prevent outbreaks of the circulating polio strain. No more transmission was seen after two vaccination rounds. Innovative digital technologies have also been sparked by the polio response.
"Our efforts to eradicate polio are strengthening the public health system as a whole, improving the overall response to other health threats and catastrophes. The COVID-19 vaccine deployment and surveillance have both benefited greatly from the polio framework, which has also improved the effectiveness of the region's emergency responses to diseases like cholera and measles. To make the most of our scarce public health resources, it is imperative that we go forward with our polio transition plans concurrently with eradication activities in the future.
"On this World Polio Day, I would want to personally thank all the committed healthcare professionals who are upholding the polio commitment by visiting every eligible child's home to administer vaccines in frequently difficult conditions.
"Let's keep encouraging one another as we step up our efforts to eradicate polio forever in Africa and around the world, she added.
0 Comments