The World Health Organisation has declared Somalia polio-free. The U.N. body has praised authorities for ensuring that children are vaccinated against the virus.
It’s a historic celebration for Somali authorities – and a milestone in the fight against the polio virus. Government and U.N. officials term it as a joint effort – after years of coordinated campaigns.
The U.N. World Health Organisation declaring the country polio free – this is after it recorded no case of polio disease in the last three years.
“The outbreak that erupted in the horn of Africa in 2013 – paralysed close to 200 children. Somalia was the epicentre and most affected accounting for more than 90% of these cases. Since the outbreak of the virus in 2013 more than 74 million vaccine doses against polio has been administered to children under five years in Somalia,” said Peter De Clercq, Deputy Special Representative for Somalia.
Fawziya Abikar, Health Minister of Somalia, congratulated the polio eradication staff who had been working on getting rid of the threat.
“I take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous efforts made by Somalia polio eradication staff in general – and Somalia polio veterans without whom we could not celebrate today – polio free ceremony”.
But the U.N. has warned that Somalia remains vulnerable – and as the world edges closer to eradicating polio – experts have called for continued awareness and vaccination campaigns.
Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the three countries where polio is still being recorded, and as authorities awarded those involved in Somalia’s success, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said that his government seeks to prioritise healthcare.
“We urge all mothers and parents to work closely with health professionals in this field – it’s our responsibility and duty to address this issue and to ensure our children receive quality life,” the President said.
Most of the children affected by polio-virus reside in displaced camps on the outskirts of major towns including the capital. Experts have now called on authorities to also increase its campaigns in areas considered off-limits to vaccination teams.
