Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan says the prevalence of poliomyelitis in Pakistan, Afghanistan and nine states in Nigeria is not unconnected with war and crisis, stressing that insecurity makes it impossible for health workers to access crisis areas in the performance of their duties.
The governor, a medical doctor made the assertion Thursday September 26 at the Warri City Stadium training pitch during the flag- off of the 2013 third quarter polio eradication sensitization campaign in Warri South local government.
Dr. Uduaghan who called for vigilance of Deltans to ensure that the dreaded polio does not spread to the state four years after no case was reported in Delta, opined that migration caused by “crisis is a potential risk at contacting polio”.
The governor, a former commissioner for health in Delta State commended the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other partners for supporting the fight towards ensuring a polio free Nigeria.
Delta State Commissioner for health, Dr. Joseph Sisanmi Otumara in an address noted that poliomyelitis is caused by an intestinal virus that afflicts the peripheral nervous system, just as he stressed that children between ages 6 and 59 months are most vulnerable.
According to the commissioner, polio which causes paralysis of the limbs is transmitted through the facial- oral route via contaminated water, food and fingers.
Dr. Otumara averred that World Health Organization sources have confirmed 46 cases of polio as at September 13, 2013 in 9 states of Nigeria as against 94 cases in 11 States for the same period in 2012.
He explained that a detailed analysis of Delta State polio cumulative vaccination coverage for 2013 indicates that Ethiope East, Sapele and Ughelli South local government areas need to brace up in respect of their routine immunization activities.
In his opening address, Transition Committee Chairman of Warri South local government, Dr. Augustine Uroye promised that his administration will continue to support health programs and other health activities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for championing the free material and child health programmes.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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