Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called for sustained investment in routine immunisation, stronger disease surveillance and wider access to vaccines to protect children against polio and prevent a resurgence of the preventable disease.
Soludo made the call in a statement marking World Polio Day, observed on Saturday, October 24, emphasising the need to sustain vaccination coverage and strengthen community participation to protect public health gains nationwide.
“As we commemorate World Polio Day, I celebrate Anambra’s remarkable progress in keeping our children protected from the virus,” she said.
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Soludo, wife of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, attributed the state’s progress to the commitment of healthcare workers, the cooperation of mothers and collective efforts to safeguard children’s health.
“Our responsibility now is to sustain this progress through routine immunisation, effective disease surveillance and continued public awareness. We must remain vigilant to ensure that every child stays immunised and protected,” she stressed.
Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis and, in severe cases, death. Although there is no cure, vaccination provides effective protection, making routine immunisation critical to preventing transmission and outbreaks.
Nigeria was certified free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2020 as part of the World Health Organisation African Region’s certification. However, circulating variant polioviruses remain a public health concern, underscoring the need to close vaccination gaps, promptly detect suspected cases and respond rapidly to outbreaks.
Soludo urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children received recommended polio vaccine doses, stressing that protecting children required sustained collaboration between government, healthcare workers and communities.
She also highlighted the importance of public education in tackling misinformation, strengthening confidence in vaccines and encouraging participation in routine immunisation, particularly in underserved communities.
The Anambra First Lady called on government agencies, healthcare professionals, community leaders and development partners to strengthen collaboration and ensure that geographical and socioeconomic barriers did not deny children access to life-saving vaccines.
“It’s time to preserve our gains and continue building a healthier Anambra for generations to come,” she urged.
Sustained immunisation, effective surveillance and equitable access to primary healthcare remain essential to Nigeria’s efforts to protect children, prevent poliovirus transmission and contribute to the global eradication of polio.
