TORONTO, Canada, May 16, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced a contribution of $19.9 million toward the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
Implemented by the World Health Organization, the Sustaining Polio Eradication Through Strengthened Routine Immunization project will help immunize approximately 6.6 million girls and 6.9 million boys against polio in 11 high-risk Nigerian states. It will also train approximately 154,000 vaccinators and help protect up to 250,000 children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
In September 2015 the World Health Organization made the historic announcement that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria and that there have been no cases reported since July 2014. Immunization activities are essential to ensure against the re-emergence of the virus.
Minister Bibeau made the announcement on the margins of the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference presents a unique opportunity to discuss and engage in dialogue on matters related to women and girls, with a specific focus on health.
Quotes
“Polio will be eradicated in a few years. Consider the powerful impact of such a statement. It can happen with a sustained effort aimed at immunizing every child. Our aim is to help reduce the burden of diseases affecting mothers and children, and eradicate polio from Nigeria for good.”
– Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
“We are grateful for Canada’s leadership and significant support to polio eradication and its commitment to keep Nigeria polio free. Given the leadership role that women play in polio eradication, it is particularly meaningful that this announcement is being made today at Women Deliver. Women are at the centre of efforts to convince families to vaccinate their children so that no child is missed, and to reach them with a package of integrated health services, including polio vaccines, deworming, vitamin A and health education.”
– Dr. Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director-General, Family, Women’s and Children’s Health, World Health Organization
Quick facts
One in four Nigerian children under the age of five dies from vaccine-preventable diseases.
In 2015, Nigeria was officially removed from the list of polio-endemic countries, marking a significant milestone toward achieving a polio-free Africa.
