WHO: Nigeria may be declared wild polio free in August

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria will soon be declared free of wild polio virus.

The country has completed its documentation for wild polio free status, an exercise accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).

WHO in Nigeria shared the information via its Twitter account, on Thursday.

“Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for #WildPoliovirus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC). It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme!” the tweet read.

Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for #WildPoliovirus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).

It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme! pic.twitter.com/h2mEngkKXv

— WHO Nigeria (@WHONigeria) June 18, 2020

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Faisal Shuaib, executive director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), had described the completion of the documentation exercise as “a proud moment”, saying it is “significant on multiple fronts”.

“What a proud moment for us and indeed all Nigerians, as we defended the country’s complete documentation towards being declared a Polio-free nation, at the virtual 25th meeting of African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC),” one of his tweets read.

What a proud moment for us and indeed all Nigerians, as we defended the country's complete documentation towards being declared a Polio-free nation, at the virtual 25th meeting of African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC). pic.twitter.com/tHjRkCD2Uh

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— Dr. Faisal Shuaib (@drfaisalshuaib) June 18, 2020

But when TheCable contacted Charity Warigon, spokesperson of WHO in Nigeria, on Friday, she said the official declaration of Nigeria as a polio free country is yet to be made by the global health agency.

She said the completion of the documentation exercise implies that “Nigeria has successfully stopped the circulation of wild poliovirus within the country.”

Warigon said the official declaration should be made during the WHO regional committee for Africa meeting in August.

“Yesterday, Nigeria’s documentation for wild polio virus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC),” she said.

“This implies that there is no indigenous circulation of the wild poliovirus in Nigeria. Put differently, Nigeria has successfully stopped the circulation of wild poliovirus within the country.

“However, we expect a formal announcement of the certification of eradication of wild polioviruses in the African region to be made later in 2020, possibly, during the WHO regional committee for Africa meeting in August, to be attended by all 47 ministers of health.

“Meantime, the key message is that, despite the historic acceptance of Nigeria’s complete documentation, this is not the time to take the foot off the pedal, with regards to polio eradication initiative.

“In order to sustain the gains, a lot more needs to be done to increase and sustain routine immunisation coverage and continued vigilance.”