Home Healthcare Rotary reaffirms commitment to polio eradication, maternal health in Nigeria

Rotary reaffirms commitment to polio eradication, maternal health in Nigeria

Polio eradication in Nigeria
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Rotary pledges over $300m for polio eradication in Nigeria, alongside initiatives to reduce maternal mortality and improve child health.

 

Rotary International has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating polio in Nigeria and addressing critical public health challenges, including maternal and child mortality.

Speaking during a symbolic polio immunisation event at the Jahi Primary Health Centre in Abuja on Thursday, Mark Maloney, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, highlighted the organisation’s enduring dedication to public health.

“We have committed, over the course of many years, over $300 million to polio eradication in Nigeria alone,” Mr Maloney stated.

He commended the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee for its unwavering efforts and pledged Rotary’s continued support.

 

Polio Eradication Efforts

Despite Nigeria being declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, challenges persist with Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), which saw 93 reported cases in 2024.

Mr Maloney emphasised the importance of sustaining eradication efforts, urging the Nigerian government to remain focused on combating vaccine-derived polio.

He also highlighted Rotary’s substantial annual contributions to the cause, channelled through organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

The allocation for Nigeria’s 2025 efforts will be determined after the International Polio Plus Committee’s upcoming meetings in January and February.

 

Progress and Challenges

Polio, a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, has two main forms: wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV).

While the country has successfully eliminated wild poliovirus, cVDPV2 continues to pose a threat, with 168 cases reported in 2022.

To combat this, mass vaccination campaigns have been launched, such as the August 2023 drive in Niger State, which targeted over 2.6 million children with the fractional inactivated poliovirus vaccine (fIPV).

 

Beyond Polio: Maternal and Child Health

Rotary’s efforts extend beyond polio eradication. Mr Maloney revealed the organisation’s $2 million commitment to the “Programme of Scale,” a maternal and child health initiative aimed at reducing birth-related mortality by 25%.

The programme, implemented in collaboration with local Rotarians and international partners, focuses on promoting social behavioural change.

National Coordinator Emmanuel Lufadeju stressed the importance of shifting attitudes to encourage women to deliver in healthcare facilities rather than at home.

 

Community Collaboration

Former District Governor and Chairperson of the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, Joshua Hassan, noted that immunisation efforts are driven at the grassroots level, with national immunisation days held twice yearly.

Mr Maloney reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s unique health challenges, stating, “Polio eradication remains Rotary’s number one global priority.

But our broader goal is to improve lives by meeting local community needs.”

Rotary’s integrated approach ensures its projects leave a lasting impact, reinforcing the global fight against polio and advancing maternal and child health.

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