In a disturbing development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has disclosed the detection of 51 new cases of Circulating Variant Polio Virus (cVPV2) in Nigeria between January and August 13 of this year. The North-West zone, in particular, bears the brunt of this surge, contributing to a staggering 92% of the newly reported cases.
Spanning across 15 local government areas, the majority of the cases—47 to be exact—originate from states within the North-West zone, an area grappling with complex security challenges. This disconcerting trend has elicited widespread concern from stakeholders within the healthcare sector.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, delivered this sobering information during a strategic meeting held in Kaduna State on Thursday.
The event was organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with the Sultan Foundation, with the aim of fostering a stronger partnership between major stakeholders and traditional leaders from inaccessible communities in the North-West zone.
The meeting sought to reinforce collaboration efforts, especially in the context of improving access to primary healthcare services. The North-West zone includes six states—Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kano.
Dr. Mulombo highlighted the alarming fact that a substantial 47 out of the 51 reported polio cases emerged from the North-West region.
The majority of these cases originated in states grappling with security challenges, further exacerbating the country’s struggle to achieve universal health coverage.
The pervasive security issues in the North-West zone, exacerbated by the activities of bandits and kidnappers, have dealt a severe blow to an already fragile healthcare system.
Years of neglect and underfunding, coupled with the breakdown of essential services, including routine child immunization, have compounded the challenges.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event included Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State; Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto; Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency; and representatives from WHO and UNICEF, among others.
Dr. Mulombo expressed concern over how insecurity has obstructed access to healthcare services, contributing to high maternal and infant mortality rates within the North-West zone. The Sultan of Sokoto also voiced his dismay at policymakers’ lack of implementation of health sector strategies.
While both states and traditional institutions are expected to play pivotal roles in enhancing universal health coverage, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to eradicating polio and ensuring the health and well-being of Nigeria’s citizens.
