Coco-Bassey Esu|3 August 2016
Cross River Health Commissioner, Dr (Mrs) Inyang Asibong has expressed happiness that the state and Nigeria has not recorded any new case of Polio virus in the past two years, as this is victory for our children in Cross River and Nigeria as the whole. The Commissioner made this known yesterday during a meeting in her office with a team from National Emergency Operation Centre, Abuja and the representatives from World Health Organization who are to assess status of Documentation for Polio free certification.
Dr Asibong assured that 'Cross River will continue to make remarkable progress by strengthening immunization and surveillance activities to detect reintroduction or re-emergence of the virus. The State Government continued domestic funding, the concerted efforts by all individuals, mostly, the donors and development partners has made the interruption of wild Polio virus transmission impossible in the country. With the state polio eradication task force and the establishment of Primary health care Agency by His Excellency, Gov Benedict Ayade, our vigilance and efforts will continue to keep Cross River and Nigeria Polio free'.
The State Coordinator, World Health Organization, Dr Tom Igbu expressed great excitement of Nigeria's remarkable progress on Polio eradication, as this is achievement in global health. He assured that, WHO will ensure Polio does not return to the state and the country.
Earlier in the meeting, Mrs Faith Ereye, head of the team, National Emergency Operation Centre Abuja applauded the state government and the state health team for successfully stopping Polio in the state in the last two years. Mrs Ereye pledged the dedication and commitment of its members in their assignment to assess status of Documentation for Polio free certification.
Those in the team are representatives from World Health Organization, Ministry of Health, members of National Emergency Operation Centre, Epidemiology Department and relevant partners. Four Local Government Area comprises of Calabar South, Obanliku, Odukpani and Yakurr were chosen for the exercise based on history of Polio virus and accessibility.
Coco-Bassey Esu
Is the media aide to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, CRS
