Ban Ki-moon commends Nigeria on polio

Ban Ki-moon immunises a baby against polio at a primary health care centre in Garki, Abuja

The UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon yesterday commended Nigeria for her efforts in the global polio eradication programme and pledged more financial support to the country to further enhance its vaccination and sanitation programmes.
The UN Chief on a visit to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said the UN was working with other international organisations to assist the Nigeria which has not reported as single case of Polio in the last twelve months.
“I rejoice with Nigeria for celebrating one year of zero case of polio and I hope that, as soon as possible, Nigeria will be declared a polio-free state. We have just two countries in the world remaining with polio – Pakistan and Afghanistan. Nigeria will soon be declared a polio free country, I hope this momentum will be sustained
“The United Nations is mobilising all necessary resources and working very closely with Global Vaccine Alliance to mobilise necessary support, particularly financial support for the country. The global vaccine alliance is an international organisation established in 2000, and aims to bring public and private sector organisations together with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.
“I have been very impressed by the way Nigerian government is providing sanitation and health services for many people, particularly women and children,” Mr. Ki-moon said.
Welcoming him to NPHCDA, the executive director of the Agency Dr. Ado Muhammad described the visit as the highest-level political support for the primary health care system in Nigeria.
He commended the UN secretary-general’s visit to the primary healthcare centre in Garki to see how immunisation and family health services were provided.
“It is a good support for the programme and we are encouraged; it has also motivated health workers that their hard work is acknowledged, appreciated and commended,’’ Muhammad said