WILD POLIO VIRUS CASES (PARALYSED CHILDREN) IN NIGERIA
In accordance with our mandate to advocate for better care for all Nigerians, the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) is committed to identifying areas of poor performance within the health sector and working with stakeholders to find lasting solutions. As part of our strategy to hold our policymakers accountable, HERFON will publish a series of articles on various high profile health issues. A topical Health scorecard, that puts the spotlight on the performance of those we have elected to represent us, will be serially published to empower consumers to demand for reforms and better health.
Wild Polio Virus Transmission
Nigeria is not currently projected to meet the MDG4 by 2015, immunizations are currently the most cost-effective health intervention. One of the vaccine-preventable diseases is Polio, which has been known to cause Spinal Polio, leading to irreversible leg paralysis and Bulbar Polio, which may lead to death or the victim spending the rest of their life in an iron lung. For as little as $0.60 (approx N90) worth of vaccine, a child can be protected.
The last indigenous case of Wild Polio Virus was last seen over twenty years ago in the North and South Americas However, the picture for Nigeria remains unfortunately very bleak. Nigeria is listed amongst the last 4 nations where Polio is still endemic (present continuously throughout the year) and may likely hold the world back from eradicating a disease which will be second only to small pox. As of September 13th, 2011 the number of Wild Polio Virus cases recorded in Nigeria is now 25, is up 400% from 6 recorded in 2010, according to the World Health Organization. Low coverage levels (<60%) are responsible for the persistence of high transmission levels (NPHCDA 2011).
In April 2011 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) confirmed that Nigeria was not on track to achieve the goal of interruption of wild poliovirus transmission by end 2011. The IMB however noted that Nigeria had the potential to get back on track should implementation of identified priority activities be expedited and gaps in vaccination and surveillance rapidly addressed.
The 25 cases of wild polio for the year to date have been listed alongside the newly elected and re-elected government officials at each level. We are depending on these officials that have the majesty of their distinguished offices and the attendant influence at their disposal, to deliver the much talked about “dividends of democracy” to those who voted them in and who pay taxes with the expectation of good and responsive governance.
According to a myriad of Public health articles published in the last few years, coverage for routine immunization has remained below set targets due to the following factors:
Our National Dailies were inundated with pictures in early September of the Governors administering oral polio doses in the mouths of children as they launched their “War on Polio”. We are hopeful that lip service is not being paid to this very important issue. These Governors must commit tangibly to Child Survival by the interruption of Wild Polio Virus. Their influence over the Local Government Chairmen is palpable and can be leveraged to improve performance at the LG level. Extended access road networks to local communities, increased health care budget allocations and release, capacity building for improved delivery of quality immunization services as well as adequate investment in cold storage equipment are recommended areas for immediate intervention.
Leadership is about Accountability. Leaders in Nigeria have an immediate opportunity to prove their commitment to the eradication of polio. We are sure they would not want to be remembered as the leaders of lame people but rather physically healthy individuals.
We can do better!
By THE HEALTH REFORM FOUNDATION OF NIGERIA (HERFON)
Advocating for better health for all Nigerians.
SCORE CARD ON POLIO WILD VIRUS CASES IN NIGERIA AS AT SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
|||
S/N |
PATIENT |
WPV |
STATE/ |
GOVERNOR |
LG |
STATE HOUSE |
REP./ |
SENATOR/ |
|||
|
KEBBI STATE – 7 CASES (HIGHEST) |
||||||||||
1 |
F. S. |
Type 3 |
Kebbi Aliero LG
|
Nasamu |
Garba Bala |
Muhammad A. |
Alh. Umar Halilu Aliero |
Alh. Abubakar |
|||
2 |
R. |
Type 1 |
Kebbi Augie LG |
Nasamu |
Alh. Yahaya |
Adamu Bawa |
Alh. Garba Musa Gulma |
Alh. Isah Galaudu |
|||
3 |
N. |
Type 1 |
Kebbi |
Nasamu |
Alh. Musa |
Mohammed Bello |
Alh. Umar Sani Kalgo |
Alh. Abubakar |
|||
4 |
M. S. |
Type 1 |
Kebbi |
Nasamu Dakingari |
Alh. Mohammed |
Alh. Hassan |
Alh. Umaru Halilu Aliero |
Alh. Abubakar |
|||
5 |
U. A. |
Type 3 |
Kebbi |
Nasamu Dakingari |
Alh. Mohammed |
Alh. Hassan Muh’d Salla |
Alh. Umaru Halilu Aliero |
Alh. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu |
|||
6 |
A. A. |
Type 3 |
Kebbi |
Nasamu Dakingari |
Umar Abdullah |
Aminu Musa Gumbi |
Hajia Halima Hassan Tukur |
Gen. Muhammad Magoro (Rtd) |
|||
7 |
X.X. |
Type 3 |
Kebbi |
Nasamu Dakingari |
Mohamed Samaila |
Nafiyu Aliyu Bagudo |
Hon Bello Kaoje |
Alhaji Isah Galaudu |
|||
|
KANO STATE – 6 CASES (2nd HIGHEST) |
||||||||||
1 |
Z.A. |
Type 3 |
KANO |
Kwankwanso |
Muhammad |
Sale Ahmed Marke |
Engr. Tijjani Abdulkadir
|
Bello Hayatu Gwarzo |
|||
2 |
N.S. |
Type 3 |
KANO |
Kwankwanso |
Muhammad |
Sale Ahmed Marke |
Engr. Tijjani Abdulkadir |
Bello Hayatu Gwarzo
|
|||
3 |
M.M. |
Type 1 |
KANO |
Kwankwanso |
Shuaibu Musa Umar
|
Alh. Naziru Zakari Sheka
|
Mannir Babba Dan |
Bashir Lado Garba |
|||
4 |
A.Y. |
Type 1 |
KANO |
Kwankwanso |
Shuaibu Musa Umar |
Alh. Naziru Zakari Sheka
|
Mannir Babba Dan
|
Bashir Lado Garba |
||||
5 |
H. M. |
Type 1 |
KANO |
Kwankwanso |
Shuaibu Musa Umar |
Alh. Naziru Zakari Sheka
|
Mannir Babba Dan
|
Bashir Lado Garba |
||||
6 |
F.M. |
Type 1 |
KANO |
Kwankwanso |
Shuaibu Musa Umar |
Alh. Naziru Zakari Sheka
|
Mannir Babba Dan
|
Bashir Lado Garba |
||||
|
BORNO STATE – 4 CASES (3rd HIGHEST) |
|||||||||||
1. |
Z.Y. |
Type 3 |
Borno |
Kashim Shettima |
Alhaji Lawan Yarayi |
Alhaji Haruna Kukawa |
Isa Lawan Kangarwa |
Alhaji
|
||||
2 |
J.I. |
Type 1 |
Borno
|
Kashim Shettima |
Metropolitan Council- |
. Alhaji Abubakar Tujani |
Kaka Kyari Gujbawu. |
Khalifa Ahmed Zanna |
||||
3 |
M.S. |
Type 1 |
Borno |
Kashim Shettima |
Alhaji Abba Mamman |
Alhaji Shettima Kullima |
Mohammed Tahir Monguno |
Maina Ma"aji Lawan |
||||
4 |
M.B. |
Type 1 |
Borno |
Kashim Shettima |
Alhaji Abba Mamman |
Alhaji Shettima Kullima |
Mohammed Tahir Monguno Marte,Monguno,Nganzai Fed. Constituency
|
Maina Ma"aji Lawan |
||||
|
JIGAWA STATE – 3 CASES (4th HIGHEST) |
|||||||||||
1 |
A.G. |
Type1 |
JIGAWA |
Abdullahi Bulama Zugo |
Muhammad Umar Soni |
Hon. Adamu Hassan Abunabo |
AbdulAziz Usman |
|||||
2 |
A.A. |
Type1 |
JIGAWA |
Abdullahi Bulama Zugo |
Muhammad Umar Soni |
Hon. Adamu Hassan Abunabo Guri/ Birniwa/ Kiri-kasamma |
AbdulAziz Usman |
|||||
3 |
Z. |
Type1 |
JIGAWA
|
Alh. Bako Muhammad |
Babangida Sardo |
Bashir Adamu Jumbo |
Alh. Danladi Sankara |
|||||
|
SOKOTO STATE – 3 CASES (4th HIGHEST) |
|||||||||
1 |
N.S. |
Type 3 |
SOKOTO |
|
Umar Muhammad |
Mustapha Aliyu Gatau |
Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir |
Engr Ibrahim Abdullahi |
||
2 |
D. |
Type 1 |
SOKOTO |
|
Idris Muhammad |
1.Haruna Dauda, 2. Sumaila Salihu Gangara (South) |
Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir |
Engr Ibrahim Abdullahi Sokoto East Senatorial District |
||
3 |
A.B. |
Type 1 |
SOKOTO |
|
Alh. Ahmed Abdullahi .K |
Murtala Maigana Wamako
|
Alhaji Abdullahi Wamako |
Ahmed Muhammed Macido |
||
YOBE STATE- 2 CASES(5th HIGHEST) |
||||||||||
1 |
S.Y |
Type 1 |
Yobe |
Ibrahim Geidam |
KARASUWA LG |
Hon. Alhaji Adamu Dala Dogo |
Nguru/Machina/Yusufari/Karasuwa Hon. Alhaji Baba Bukar Machina |
Dr Ahmed Lawan |
||
2 |
A.I |
Missing |
Yobe |
Ibrahim Geidam |
NANGERE LG
|
Alhaji Abubakar A. Degubi |
Nangere/Potiskum Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Mainasara |
Alhaji Alkali Abdulkadir Jajere |
||