More than 190 000 polio vaccinators in 13 countries across west and central Africa will immunize more than 116 million children over the next week, to tackle the last remaining stronghold of polio on the continent.
The synchronized vaccination campaign, one of the largest of its kind ever implemented in Africa, is part of urgent measures to permanently stop polio on the continent. All children under five years of age in the 13 countries – Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Sierra Leone – will be simultaneously immunized in a coordinated effort to raise childhood immunity to polio across the continent. In August 2016, four children were paralysed by the disease in security-compromised areas in Borno state, north-eastern Nigeria, widely considered to be the only place on the continent where the virus maintains its grip.
"Twenty years ago, Nelson Mandela launched the pan-African ‘Kick Polio Out of Africa’ campaign," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. "At that time, every single country on the continent was endemic to polio, and every year, more than 75 000 children were paralysed for life by this terrible disease. Thanks to the dedication of governments, communities, parents and health workers, this disease is now beaten back to this final reservoir."
Dr Moeti cautioned, however, that progress was fragile, given the epidemic-prone nature of the virus. Although confined to a comparatively small region of the continent, experts warned that the virus could easily spread to under-protected areas of neighbouring countries. That is why regional public health ministers from five Lake Chad Basin countries - Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria – declared the outbreak a regional public health emergency and have committed to multiple synchronized immunization campaigns.
UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Ms Marie-Pierre Poirier, stated that with the strong commitment of Africa’s leaders, there was confidence that this last remaining polio reservoir could be wiped out, hereby protecting all future generations of African children from the crippling effects of this disease once and for all. "Polio eradication will be an unparalleled victory, which will not only save all future generations of children from the grip of a disease that is entirely preventable – but will show the world what Africa can do when it unites behind a common goal."
To stop the potentially dangerous spread of the disease as soon as possible, volunteers will deliver bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) to every house across all cities, towns and villages of the 13 countries. To succeed, this army of volunteers and health workers will work up to 12 hours per day, travelling on foot or bicycle, in often stifling humidity and temperatures in excess of 40°C. Each vaccination team will carry the vaccine in special carrier bags, filled with ice packs to ensure the vaccine remains below the required 8°C.
"This extraordinary coordinated response is precisely what is needed to stop this polio outbreak," said Michael K McGovern, Chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee . "Every aspect of civil society in these African countries is coming together, every community, every parent and every community leader, to achieve one common goal: to protect their children from life-long paralysis caused by this deadly disease."
The full engagement of political and community leaders at every level – right down to the district – is considered critical to the success of the campaign. It is only through the full participation of this leadership that all sectors of civil society are mobilized to ensure every child is reached.
Note to editors
Bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) immunizes against two of the three wild poliovirus serotypes: 1 and 3. Wild poliovirus type 2 has been eradicated.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is led by national governments and spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since its launch at the World Health Assembly in 1988, the GPEI has reduced the global incidence of polio by more than 99%. The GPEI receives financial support from governments of countries affected by polio; private sector foundations, donor governments, multilateral organizations, private individuals, humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations and corporate partners.
Full list of contributors
Media contacts
Tarik Jasarević
World Health Organization
Mobile: +41 79 367 6241
Telephone: +41 22 791 5099
Email: jasarevict@who.int
Patrick Rose
UNICEF Dakar
Telephone: +221 786 380 250
Email: prose@unicef.org
Rod Curtis
UNICEF External Relations (in Borno, Nigeria)
Telephone: +1 917 618 7555
Email: rcurtis@unicef.org"
Source: WHO | From coast to coast: Africa unites to tackle threat of polio: "From coast to coast: Africa unites to tackle threat of polio Joint news release UNICEF/WHO 23 MARCH 2017 | GENEVA/BRAZZAVILLE/NEW YORK/DAKAR -
'via Blog this'
Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines
Ambassador Zara Bayla Juan, Sailing for Peace #PeaceDay
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
Wellness Pilipinas International: Wellness in Tech: Pres. Duterte approves national ...
Wellness Pilipinas International: Wellness in Tech: Pres. Duterte approves national ...: Duterte approves national broadband program –Piñol | SciTech | GMA News Online : "President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday approved the esta...
Thursday, March 2, 2017
UN headlines: Feb 27-March 2, 2017
2 March 2017
1 March 2017
28 February 2017
27 February 2017
Source:
United Nations News Centre - Latest headlines at a glance: "2 March 2017
‘Communicating SDGs’ key to achieving global development targets – senior UN official
Hunger persists in chronic conflict zones despite strong global harvests – UN
UN-backed narcotics control body calls for more policies to address drug dependence among women
Iraq: Civilian casualty figure for February tops 1,000 – UN reports
Financial speculation led to unsustainable global housing crisis, UN expert says
UN envoy condemns firing of rocket from Gaza towards Israel
Perpetrators of terrorist attacks in Kabul must be brought to justice, stresses UN Security Council
1 March 2017
Humanitarian actors need safe, unhindered access to help Yemen avert famine – UN aid chief
UN Mission in Colombia starts verification as FARC-EP begins turning in weapons
Mental anguish ‘adds weight’ to argument for ending capital punishment – UN rights chief
Innovation imperative to make Global Goals a reality – UN official, on day one of ideas fest
Drug-resistant tuberculosis continues to be serious health threat says UN health agency
War crimes committed by all parties in battle for Aleppo – UN-mandated inquiry on Syria
DR Congo security forces committed rights violations against protestors in December 2016 – UN probe
'Make some noise' for safe, supportive HIV/AIDS care, says UN on Zero Discrimination Day
28 February 2017
UN rights office disappointed with Thai Government’s refusal to criminalize enforced disappearance
Sustainable Development Goals critical for better future for all – deputy UN chief Amina Mohammed
Russia, China block Security Council action on use of chemical weapons in Syria
People fleeing war more likely to find shelter in poorer countries, says UN refugee agency
With virtual and augmented reality, UN ‘ideas forum’ to explore collaboration on Global Goals
UN migration agency reports surge in displacement from Mosul as fighting intensifies
Migrating children and women, suffer ‘sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and detention’ – UN agency
Yemen: UN verifies nearly 1,500 boys recruited for use in armed conflict
South Sudan: UN official calls for unfettered relief access to avert further catastrophe
27 February 2017
In Yemen, UN aid chief rallies support for relief efforts to prevent famine
Germany: UN rights panel highlights racial profiling against people of African descent
Drought threatens 1.5 million Somalis; UN health agency scales up response
Refugees and migrants taking 'enormous risks' to reach Europe – UN agency
UN health agency lists antibiotic-resistant bacteria which pose human threat
Kosovo: Talks between Belgrade and Pristina 'essential' to peace, UN envoy tells Security Council
Families report skyrocketing food prices, dire conditions in western Mosul – UN agency
In Geneva, UN urges upholding human rights amid rising populism and extremism
UN rights expert calls on Myanmar authorities to protect Rohingya population"
'via Blog this'
UN headlines: January 22-25, 2017 (click source to read full article)
25 February 2017
24 February 2017
23 February 2017
22 February 2017
Source: United Nations News Centre - Latest headlines at a glance: "25 February 2017
Western Sahara: UN chief urges Morocco and Polisario Front to de-escalate tensions in buffer strip
UN Security Council calls for immediate investigation into recent violence in DR Congo's Kasai region
24 February 2017
UNESCO meeting lays groundwork for reviving, protecting Iraq’s cultural heritage
Secretary-General asks Member States to express intention on financing UN plan to tackle cholera in Haiti
UN envoy and Church leaders in DR Congo condemn attacks against Catholic facilities
Donors pledge $670 million at UN-backed conference to support aid operations in Lake Chad region
UN reports more than 300 migrant deaths on Mediterranean crossing in first two months of 2017
At global UN consultation, health leaders underline need for action on migrant health
UN rights experts urge action to curb 'invisible threat' of toxic air
23 February 2017
Perpetrators of recent terrorist attack in Iraq must be held accountable – UN Security Council
Next gen, 'lightning' fast global communication network on track for 2020 entry – UN agency
Central African Republic: Senior UN relief official urges access to civilians in north-eastern provinces
UN chief urges Syrians at Geneva negotiations to seek political solution; Envoy to meet parties on workplan
Millions in Lake Chad suffering ‘at no fault of their own’ need world’s support, urges UN aid chief
UN health agency reports depression now ‘leading cause of disability worldwide’
‘Turn the tide on plastic’ urges UN, as microplastics in the seas now outnumber stars in our galaxy
Security Council extends mandate of UN Guinea-Bissau peacebuilding office through 2018
Yemen's health system another victim of the conflict – UN health agency
22 February 2017
Syria negotiations may not yield breakthrough, but momentum needs to be maintained – UN envoy
Central African Republic: Four UN peacekeepers wounded in ambush by armed group
OSCE seeks to defuse conflicts, combat radicalization and build trust, UN Security Council told
Tackling hunger crises in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen requires $4.4 billion – UN
Haiti: New grant to help UNICEF strengthen efforts to tackle cholera
Business-as-usual not an option with future global food security in jeopardy, cautions UN agency
Humanitarian agencies seek $1 billion to provide life-saving aid to millions in northeast Nigeria – UN
"
'via Blog this'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)