Health worker bemoans new polio outbreak

A health worker, Mrs Felicia Obinna, on Monday bemoaned the fresh outbreak of polio in Borno, saying it will be “a setback to get WHO’s certification as a polio-free nation’’.

Obinna, who is in-charge of immunisation at the Nsukka District Health Centre in Enugu State, expresed the opinion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Monday.

She said that the discovery of fresh cases of wild polio in Gwarzo and Jere local government areas was regrettable for a country that was looking forward to getting WHO’s polio-free certification status.

“I felt very sad when I heard that two fresh cases of polio virus have been detected again, after the country celebrated two years of polio-free on June 23.

“This new discovery may make it impossible for WHO to certify Nigeria as polio-free this year.

“These cases have rubbished efforts by the Federal Government and relevant health bodies to eradicate polio in the country,’’ she said.

She urged the Federal Government to quickly address the situation by mopping up the polio virus cases for a complete eradication.

“The government must provide the required funds and manpower to boost immunisation in Borno and other states affected by Boko Haram where there was restricted access to field workers.

“The government should swing into action by sending a team to the affected states to re-appraise the immunisation situation,’’ she said.

The health worker also urged states and local governments in the country to redouble their efforts by safeguarding their domain from any fresh case of the wild polio virus.

Obinna, however, urged the government not to allow the recent case to lower its morale in its avowed commitment to achieving a polio-free country.

She said that the government should rather provide the needed resources to completely wipe out the virus in the country.