Rotary Reaffirms Commitment To End Polio In Nigeria

In a concerted effort to combat the lingering effects of polio and promote vaccination, the Rotary Club of Abuja has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to fight against the dreaded disease.

The commitment was made during a ‘End Polio Now’ walk where various participants of the sensitisation walk included Rotarians, healthcare professionals, and volunteers, all united in their mission to highlight the critical need for vaccination.

The event, which took participants from the Old Parade Ground to Area 1 and back in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aimed to bolster awareness of polio’s status in Nigeria and worldwide.

President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, Oluwafunmi Elufioye, emphasised the importance of continued vigilance, that Nigeria was declared wild polio-free in 2020, however, the circulation of vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 still poses risks.

Elufioye underscored that the fight against polio is far from over and that the disease can still be transmitted globally.

She shared that Rotary is one of the foremost global donors in the eradication of polio, stating, “We support with vaccines and funds. Each Rotarian contributes to the PolioPlus Fund, and with matching donations from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, our efforts are sustained.”

The president said that with over 2.1 billion dollars dedicated to this cause since 1985, there is optimism about the progress made, with a significant decrease in polio cases worldwide.

“If polio remains endemic in any country, it puts others at risk, making the global effort for eradication paramount,” she said.

While speaking about the challenges faced in eradicating polio, Elufioye responded, “We have seen results, but we are committed to continuing the fight.”

She said that the Rotary Club remains focused on promoting vaccinations and engaging local communities, which involved in door-to-door campaigns, providing vaccines through easier means, such as oral droplets, to combat past hesitancies regarding injections.

“Vaccination, education, and community support are the cornerstones of our efforts,” Elufioye stated.