By Kemi Olatunde

Efforts are in full swing to ensure that Ondo State retains its status as being polio-free in Nigeria.

The State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Comfort Olagundoye, spoke during a State Social Mobilisation and Technical Committee (SSOMTEC) meeting on the polio vaccination campaign, organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the state Ministry of Information and Orientation in Akure on Thursday.

According to her, the state has established high routine vaccination coverage with OPV, implemented National Immunisation Days, ensured effective surveillance, and carried out mopping-up activities, among other measures, for polio eradication in the state.

Olagundoye, who described polio as one of the deadliest diseases in Nigeria, stated that Nigeria achieved wild poliovirus-free status from the African Regional Certification Commission in June 2020.

Describing vaccination as the best preventive measure, she revealed that global efforts have reduced polio cases by over 99 per cent since 1998, adding that it can be spread even with mild symptoms.

In her overview of polio in the state, she revealed that the last wild polio virus case was detected in Awoye in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state in 2008, noting that the state had won awards, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Governor’s Leadership Award, for eradicating polio.

“Intensification of vaccination against the polio virus in Ondo State began in 2005. The relentless joint efforts of the state team and partners, including WHO and UNICEF, yielded great success, placing the state among the list of polio-free states in Nigeria,” she added.

She called for continuous support to enhance routine immunisation to reach every child through community engagement, adding that everyone should ensure the vaccination of all eligible children against diseases in the state.

The representative of UNICEF, Mrs Rufus Yusuf, stressed the need for stakeholders to work harmoniously to improve positive outcomes for children, adolescents, and women in somatic areas in the state.

She explained that stakeholders must support and help children in the communities, noting that they must promote the integration and coordination of all social mobilisation related to child survival and development in the state.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr Olanrewaju Akarakiri, stated that both the state government and UNICEF have enjoyed a mutual relationship, which, according to him, has improved the living standards of residents.

He explained that the Information Ministry has been mobilising residents on the need to take necessary actions in the area of healthy living with the support of the partner, stating that the meeting aimed to boost the relationship between UNICEF and the state government in educating stakeholders on relevant information and key messages on polio.

While commending the organisation for its support for the state, especially in the area of child care, he called on participants to make meaningful contributions to rid the state of killer diseases.