The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Thursday warned that Polio and COVID-19 is still very much with us.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, stated that on September 23, 2022, c130VPV2 was detected in 47 local government areas across 16 states in Nigeria.
He spoke at the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care Delivery Quarterly review meeting, held at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, noting that although there is about 82% reduction compared to 2021 when Nigeria had 711 Cvpv2, it is still worrisome as the nation witnessed breakthrough in two states- Sokoto and Zamfara.
To control transmission, he said, the NPHCDA is still conducting Polio outbreak response campaigns.
He said COVID-19 is also very mush with us and Nigerians need to continue to protect themselves, families and communities using the only formidable tool avilable – COVIC-19 vaccine.
He said: “As of 4th October 2022, the number of persons who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is 41,269,072 or 37%of the total eligible population in Nigeria.”
While pleading for continuous support of traditional rulers on the need to take the vaccine, Dr. Shuaib said over 350,000 Nigerians are vaccinated every day.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, urged traditional rulers to lobby those in government to ensure there are Primary Health Centers in every political ward in Nigeria.
He added that there should also be one General Hospital in each local government areas to make it possible for all Nigerians to have access to health care.
The Emir of Argungu and chairman of Northern Traditional Leaders, Alhaji Muhammed Mira, said traditional rulers are the closest to the people and they are doing their best to educate their subjects on the need to take vaccines.
