2024 World Polio Day: Osun Health Commissioner harps on recommittment to polio-free world goal

 Sunday Okunade

As 24th October of every year is set aside globally to commemorate the World Polio Day, Osun State Government has joined rest of the World to mark this memorable occasion.

Speaking at the event held at the State Ministry of Health, Osogbo, the State Capital, the Commissioner for Health, Barr. Jola Akintola described polio has a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease, which has plagued communities around the world for far too long, emphasising that, through the collective efforts of governments and partners, especially World Health Organization, the State have made significant progress towards eradicating the disease.

The Commissioner who spoke on the theme for this year, "End Polio Now" added that, health practitioners have worked tirelessly to strengthen the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system, by training healthcare workers, improving reporting mechanisms, and enhancing coordination with partners, advancing that through these efforts, they have been able to swiftly detect and respond to any cases of AFP, ensuring that polio does not gain a foothold in Osun.

While charging all and sundry to remain vigilant, and continue surveillance efforts to ensure that every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine, Barr. Akintola enjoined all to recommit themselves to the goal of a polio-free world and continue to work together across borders, boundaries, to ensure that every child is protected from the devastating disease. 

In their separate goodwill messages, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi represented by Dr. Oluyemi Ogundun; the State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Dr. Oluwatoyin  Ojediran; representative of Red Cross Society, Tolulope Ogunleye noted that polio is a very devastating disease that affects human being. 

They commended the health workers in Osun for their tireless efforts in kicking Polio out of the State, charging them to continue to intensify their services to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

They noted that Osun Government and partners have tried to ensure that for more than two years now, Osun have not recorded a single case of a circulating Variant Polio viruses type 2 (CVPV2).

They charged every Communities, health workers to join hands together to completely eradicate polio in Nigeria and Osun State at large.

Earlier, In his address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Isiaka Adekunle said today is very important so as to continue with case searching, even though, Nigeria is polio free. He added that there are people in the rural area that are yet to be discovered, hence the need to sensitise and encourage parents on the necessity of taking their children to health centres for polio vaccination.

He acknowledged the efforts of World Health Organisation and other partners for playing giant role in every aspect of health.

In his closing remarks, Director of Public Health, Dr. Akeem Bellow appreciated all the participants, most especially the State government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke for his concerted efforts in ensuring people in the State remain healthy.