BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR

World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a strengthened commitment to eradicate polio from the Lake Chad Basin, prioritizing enhanced cross-border cooperation and accelerated action to halt virus transmission in the region.

Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative on Friday, reiterated this pledge at a recent coordination meeting in Abuja, focused on fostering greater collaboration between countries within the Lake Chad Basin.

Dr. Mulombo lauded the significant strides already made in combating circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), while underscoring the critical importance of meeting the global polio eradication milestone set for 2025.

'The eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa highlights the power of teamwork among nations,' Dr. Mulombo stated, emphasizing the proven success of collaborative efforts.

The Lake Chad Basin region continues to grapple with unique and complex challenges, including persistent insecurity, ongoing humanitarian crises, and highly mobile populations.

These factors contribute significantly to the sustained transmission of polio.

Dr. Mulombo stressed that overcoming these obstacles necessitates unwavering cooperation and joint strategies among the affected nations to ensure all children are reached with vital polio vaccinations.

'We must engage all stakeholders, including community leaders and gatekeepers, to safeguard children from the poliovirus,' he urged, highlighting the importance of community engagement in the eradication effort.

The Abuja meeting convened representatives from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon – the nations directly bordering the Lake Chad.