Jubilation as Nigeria set to receive polio-free certification on August 25
Nigeria seems to have won the long battle against polio, as the country is set to receive polio-free certification on August 25.
Daily Times exclusively gathered that this was confirmed by a UNICEF senior staff who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
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The source described it as a major public health achievement.
According to the report, the “African Regional Certification Commission, an independent advisory body of the World Health Organisation, certified that the country eradicated the disease.”
The country’s battle with polio has been tough and long. In 2019, for example, it looked like Nigeria was on the verge of defeating polio as only 21 cases were recorded in the whole country.
In 2011 and 2012, however, confirmed cases began to go up again with 62 in 2011 and 99 the following year.
Public health officials had to go back to contain the spread and fully commit to ending polio.
On August 25, Nigeria will receive the polio-free certification which would officially signify the end of polio in the country. Work is, however, still ongoing in the area of continued vaccination.
Recently, Enugu State, for example, announced continued immunisation in order to sustain the country’s polio-free status.
