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NOVEMBER 2019 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE NIGERIA NATIONAL POLIOPLUS COMMITTEE Contribute Participate Change

2019 NATIONAL FIELD WORKERS AWARD 2019 WORLD POLIO DAY CELEBRATIONS

National Polio Plus Committee: PDG Tunji Funsho - Chairman, PDG Yomi Adewunmi - Vice Chairman, PDG Charles Femi Lawani - Vice Chairman, PDG Kazeem Mustapha - Vice Chairman, PAG Yakubu Ndanusa - Vice Chairman, PDG Obafunso Ogunkeye - Secretary, PAG Remi Bello - Treasurer, PDG Joshua Hassan - PR Adviser, PDG Tolu Omatsola, PDG Ijeoma Okoro, - Representing CRODIGON, END RIVP Yinka Babalola - Special Representative, DG Jide Akeredolu, DG Victor Onukwugha, DG Nze Aninzor, DG Sam Uko POLIO NOW , PolioPlus

Rotary International 2 NOVEMBER 2019

Chairman’s Address What a world polio day- Keeping Polio at Zero

Phew! What a plethora of ceremony where those who activities we had for the World were the final link in getting the Polio Day 2019! vaccine to the mouth of our c h i l d r e n w e r e p u b l i c l y The world polio day which was recognised and thanked with precisely on the 24th of October t r o p h i e s , p l a q u e s a n d was marked by myriads of certificates. It was also an activities preceding and also opportunity to remember the at following the world polio day least 64 field workers who were itself. By now, we are all familiar killed in the process of getting with the significance of that the vaccine to the children. All DR. TUNJI FUNSHO date. That date was chosen our GPEI partners were present Chairman NNPPC because of the birthday of the and participated in the award in the lead in the number of inventor of the first polio vaccine ceremony. Our Royal fathers; activities registered on the Dr Jonas Salk. The Salk the Shehu of Bama Alhaji, Kyari Rotary website. vaccine; the injectable vaccine Ibn Umar El-Kanemi who is also was named after him. the chairman of the traditional The Nigeria National Polioplus leaders council for polio Committee rounded up its Rotarians across the world eradication, the Mai Kaltungo activities in Lagos with a a planned and executed many Alhaji Saleh Muhammed and concert of comedy, music and programmes to include our four the Emir of Songa Dr. Haliru dance led by our celebrity thematic areas of activities; Ndanusa Yahaya also graced ambassadors Ali Baba, Kate advocacy, awareness creation, the occasion. Henshaw, Sani Danja, Akiin fundraising and field activities. Shuga, Phyno and Timaya. It Rotarians across the country in We had our usual polio road was a fun evening and funds every city painted their town not walk with about a thousand were raised for the polioplus only in red but all imaginable participants which included fund of the Rotary Foundation. colours. r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m government, our GPEI partners; Now that the celebrations are They also rolled out the drums WHO , UNICEF, CDC, GATES over we have to focus on our to celebrate the first world polio FOUNDATION and our in remaining challenges in order to day after Nigeria crossed that country partner SEOF with Sir ensure zero cases of polio in major milestone on the 21st Emeka Offor himself in Nigeria until world certification. August of 3 years without a attendance. We were on major T h e r e i s n o r o o m f o r case of the wild polio virus. Yes, television channels and social complacency. We must we have cause to celebrate media outlets to advocate, redouble our efforts to counter because more than two educate and motivate. any negative perceptions of the decades of hard work fraught vaccination programme, with many challenges has paid At the last count Nigerian advocate for more funding and off. Rotarians had carried out and continue to strengthen routine registered 680 world polio day immunisation and polio We kicked off our activities with activities across the whole of surveillance structures. our annual field workers awards the country. We rank second in in Abuja. A very colourful a tie with the USA behind Brazil PolioPlus

Rotary International 3 NOVEMBER 2019 FROM EDITOR'S DESK WHY POLIO

I know you have heard it asked beginning and how much progress important things once Polio is gone before, why polio? Why, of all the we have made since the 50s and from our world. diseases in the world ravaging especially since 1988 when we children, does Rotary International started the Polio Eradication Another answer to the question of keep tallying about Polio? Why not Initiative is one way to answer. why Polio, is simply because we can. malaria or measles? Why is it always Before a disease can be targeted for Polio that we keep talking about? eradication it has to fulfill certain Another way to answer is to point to criteria. One, we have to be able to This question doesn't surprise me at the destabilizing effect of one single identify it and diagnose it apart from all. In a way, we are victims of our child with Polio in a family. If that child other infections. Two, it has to own success. All those years ago is lucky to survive, they may require possess no other host or vector when Polio was a ubiquitous specialized care for the rest of their apart from the human being. Three, disease afflicting up to half a million life. Modifications would have to be and most importantly, there has to kids every year, I am sure no one made to their environment to take be a safe and effective vaccine asked this question because the care of their mobility needs. A care against it. There is no way we could impact of Polio wasn't hard to giver may have to be designated to have made the progress we have explain. Everyone knew what it was. wait on them and help to carry them made against Polio if there was no Everyone felt its impact. Everyone from place to place. Polio as a safe and effective vaccine against it. had a friend, a family member or disease doesn't just affect a single Hence we CAN and we WILL close associate who had been individual, it alters the life of the entire eradicate polio. That is why Rotary afflicted by Polio. Everyone was family. and her partners come together affected. All those years ago when during the week of October 24 every the developed world approached Another answer to the question of year to honour the man who made it summer "the Polio season" with why we and our partners are possible. Jonas Salk is the man who trepidation, no one was asking, why focused on Polio for eradication and led the effort to develop the first safe polio? But today, with Rotary and we have refused to be distracted is and effective vaccine against polio her partners having successfully that their is a financial windfall and with that development created reduced Polio to three endemic attached to the eradication of Polio. the possibility that humanity will countries in 2 epidemiologic belts, It is estimated that once we defeat polio. That is why this edition the question is now being asked. If eradicate polio, we can free up over of PolioStop is dedicated to him and people knew where we were when $40 billion in funds that can be made every other person who has made it we started, they wouldn't ask the available for other interventions. feasible and attainable for us to gift question. If we stopped out work Already we can see the importance the next generation of humans a today, we would, in just 10 years of the infrastructure we built to fight world that is polio-free. have as many as 200,000 cases Polio in tackling other diseases such annually. Polio has the ability to as cholera and even ebola. This spread that rapidly. It is our work that infrastructure will continue to exist has kept Polio at bay. People don't but more importantly, more funds see Polio today, that is why they ask, will be available to do other why polio? Taking them to the very SIA CALENDAR 7th - 10th DECEMBER, 2019

IN 20 STATES ROTN. OLUGBENGA OLAYIWOLE Editor PolioStop PolioPlus

Rotary International 4 NOVEMBER 2019 NIGERIA POLIO UPDATE: OCTOBER 2019 Two out of Three Wild Poliovirus Strains Eradicated

In a historic announcement on World NATIONAL POLIO EMERGENCY effective, and responsible for the Polio Day, an independent commission OPERATIONS CENTRE eradication of over 99% of polio cases of experts concluded that wild poliovirus Key Messages – Global Wild Poliovirus worldwide over the past 30 years. type 3 (WPV3) has been eradicated Type3 (WPV3) Certification worldwide. Following the eradication of · Polio mass immunization smallpox and wild poliovirus type 2, this · The great work being done in campaigns will continue in its current news represents a historic achievement polio eradication in Nigeria has intensity. This is to boost the population for humanity. contributed immensely to the recent immunity and contribute to maintaining global achievement of the eradication of the global status of achieving the “The achievement of polio eradication will the type 3 wild polio virus for which WHO eradication of the type 3 wild polio virus. be a milestone for global health. just issued a global certificate of This will ensure our children and Commitment from partners and eradication. environment are protected against all countries, coupled with innovation, types of the poliovirus. means of the three wild polio serotypes, · None of the 3 types of the Wild only type one remains,” said Dr Tedros Polio Virus has been detected in Nigeria · Nigeria and indeed Africa has Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director- in three years. There 3 types of the wild not detected any case of any type of the General of the World Health Organization poliovirus strains; types 1, 2 and 3. The wild polio virus since 2016. Nigeria and and Chair of the Global Polio Eradication global eradication of type 2 wild Africa, will be eligible to be to be certified Initiative (GPEI) Polio Oversight Board poliovirus was certified in 2015 and on WPV-free in June 2020 “We remain fully committed to ensuring October 24, the global eradication of type that all necessary resources are made 3 was certified by the Global Commission · Stopping the transmission of all available to eradicate all poliovirus for the Certification of Polio Eradication types of polio virus in Nigeria and across strains. We urge all our other (GCC). Only type 1 wild poliovirus is yet to the African continent, remains an stakeholders and partners to also stay be eradicated as it is still circulating in unfinished success story. As long as any the course until final success is Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the type of the wild polio virus is still achieved,” he added. most virulent of the 3 types of WPV. circulating anywhere in the World, Nigeria is at risk! Ensure every child is immunized There are three individual and · The last case of the type 3 wild against polio. immunologically-distinct wild poliovirus polio virus in Nigeria was in reported in strains: wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), wild November 2012 Nigeria has the · Ensure all children under 5 years poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) and wild capacity to stop the transmission of all of age are fully immunized against polio p o l i o v i r u s t y p e 3 ( W P V 3 ) . types of the poliovirus when we support and other childhood killer diseases. Visit Symptomatically, all three strains are the federal government through the nearest Health centre today! identical, in that they cause irreversible NPHCDA to ensure every child is paralysis or even death. But there are immunized against polio and other genetic and virologic differences which vaccine preventable diseases. make these three strains three separate viruses that must each be eradicated · Nigeria has achieved three years individually. without detecting any cases of the type 1 Wild Poliovirus. For the country to be free WPV3 is the second strain of the from all types of the polio virus, ensure all poliovirus to be wiped out, following the children are immunized routinely at the certification of the eradication of WPV2 in health centres and during Polio 2015. The last case of WPV3 was immunization campaigns. detected in northern Nigeria in 2012. Since then, the strength and reach of the · The Current success in Nigeria is Source WHO Data eradication programme's global still very fragile as insecurity, which surveillance system has been critical to hinders access to some children, and verify that this strain is truly gone. suboptimal routine immunization Investments in skilled workers, innovative coverage across the States, pose a tools and a global network of laboratories threat to sustaining these gains. Ensure have helped determine that no WPV3 every child is immunized against polio exists anywhere in the world, apart from and other vaccine preventable diseases s p e c i m e n s l o c k e d i n s e c u r e today. containment. · The oral polio vaccine (OPV) remains the best and tested tool for achieving polio eradication. It is safe, AMINU MUHAMMAD NATIONAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR PolioPlus

Rotary International 5 NOVEMBER 2019 Nigeria's Women Volunteers Fight Polio would not work – they would not be Zainab Mustapha, 32, says she completed allowed to enter the homes to immunize secondary school and earned a diploma in the children," says Ngozi Nwosu, national teaching before becoming a VCM in Kano. coordinator for the polio transition planning She's worked to reduce public resistance committee of the National Primary Health to the vaccine, which was widespread in Care Development Agency. "(But) they're Kano due to rumors that the medicine was not just women ... they're respected laced with birth control. members of those communities, they are "Now, parents come to meet me at home, people that those community members very early in the morning or even late at can trust with their lives." night to check when the next immunization UNICEF began recruiting women across is going to take place," she says happily. Sitting on a narrow wooden bench, her the country's north, training them to give After six years of working as a VCM, smiling face framed by a bright blue veil, the polio vaccine while also recognizing Mustapha is returning to teaching Zainab Abdullahi explains that she had and reporting the tell-tale signs of the because, she says, "the money is small" as always wanted to help people in her home illness: paralysis of a child's limbs. a health worker. Despite the low pay, city of Kano in northern Nigeria. Mustapha says she is proud of what VCMs Once the epicenter of Nigeria's have achieved for women in Nigeria. devastating polio outbreak some 15 years "Women were dying because of childbirth, ago, Kano still bears the epidemic's scars: because of lack of knowledge," she says. at intersections across the city, young men roll up on wheeled wooden platforms, pointing at their withered limbs and begging for change. "I grew up seeing children with paralyzed The result is not only an army of legs, paralyzed arms. I felt sad. That's what vaccinators, but also a surveillance team motivated me to become a VCM," recalls which can quickly report an outbreak and the 33-year-old Abdullahi, who uses the spur a rapid response from both the acronym for Volunteer Community government and local aid agencies. The "Sometimes we lost the baby and the Mobilizers, the teams of women trained by year after the VCM program began, cases mother at the same time. Now, that doesn't the United Nations Children's Fund of wild polio more than halved, and only six happen." (UNICEF). About 20,000 VCMs go door- were reported in 2014. Only four cases This, too, has become an important part of to-door across Nigeria, raising awareness have been diagnosed since. the program: While they initially focused on about polio and delivering life-saving Despite their importance to the campaign, polio, VCMs now provide other vaccines vaccines to children. The efforts have paid VCMs are only paid a stipend of 10,000 such as measles, as well as antenatal care, off: On Aug. 21, Nigeria celebrated three Naira. "This is really pittances," says encouraging women to give birth in years without a single new case of wild Pernille Ironside, deputy representative for hospitals rather than at home. polio, meaning the country, and the UNICEF in Nigeria. "So the fact that they Efforts like these have helped reduce continent, may be certified polio-free as have a willingness to spend their time and maternal mortality in Nigeria, which soon as next year. energy reflects their commitment to their dropped from 1,170 to 814 deaths per The VCM program was initially developed communities. And I think that's really 100,000 live births between 2000 and to tackle polio but has since become a vital noble." 2015, according to the World Health part of Nigeria's efforts to improve its Women's roles in the health care system Organization. The program remains flailing health care system. In the process, it also remain largely at the frontline level, particularly crucial in the northeast, which is empowering thousands of women in the rather than in leadership positions: In Kano still sees 1,549 deaths per 100,000 births. country. state, for example, only four of the 44 local With Nigeria looking set to be certified "People show me that I'm important, and I government area health-care coordinators polio-free next year, authorities are turning feel useful to people," Abdullahi says. "It are women. Still, in a society like Nigeria, their attention on how best to utilize this makes me happy." which ranked 157th out of 189 countries small army of trained and trusted health The VCM program began in 2012, when assessed by the United Nations' 2017 workers. wild poliovirus was still widespread in Gender Inequality Index, the recognition "What we are doing now is to look beyond Nigeria. That year, the country recorded and respect afforded VCMs can be an polio," says Nwosu, explaining that the 122 cases. That figure was a marked important first step in shifting social government is hoping to recruit more improvement from the more than 1,000 attitudes toward women. women into a new program called CHIPS – cases recorded in 2006, at the epidemic's These efforts have been particularly Community Health Influencers, Promoters peak, but aid organizations were growing important in cities like Kano and its and Services. Like the VCM program, frustrated at the continued stubbornness surrounds, which are predominantly CHIPS is focused on improving access to of the disease. VCMs have proved key to Muslim and often more restrictive than primary and maternal health care in rural ending the outbreak. In many Nigerian their southern counterparts like Lagos and underserved areas. households, tradition prohibits a man, when it comes to women's rights. "Women But perhaps the VCMs' greatest legacy will other than close male family members, were to be seen and not heard," says be their impact on the next generation of from entering a woman's home without Nwosu, the polio transition chairperson. women and girls in Nigeria. explicit permission from her husband. "If "But because of the polio program, the From the reporting of Oscar Lopez for you brought in male health workers, it place of women has been boosted." usnews.com PolioPlus

Rotary International 6 NOVEMBER 2019 Over 51 million children reached in National Immunization campaigns

0 to 59 months were informed well in advance of the campaign She said, “Even though Nigeria is and we administered vaccines in edging closer to being certified both fixed and temporary posts,” wild poliovirus (WPV) free, we will says Alhaji Yusuf Musa, Executive not relent in ensuring all children Secretary, Zamfara State Primary are fully protected not just against Health Care Development p o l i o b u t o t h e r v a c c i n e Agency. preventable diseases too.”

The fIPV and bOPV campaign Despite the progress, challenges provided an opportunity to – including inaccessibility due to administer routine immunization conflict and insecurity in some A child being given FIPV in Talatan including Bacille Calmette-Guerin areas, variations in campaign Mafara, Zamfara State Nigeria (BCG) (56,816), Pentavalent 3 q u a l i t y , m a s s i v e m o b i l e ( 7 8 , 9 8 0 ) , P n e u m o c o c c a l populations and, in some In a bid to bolster immunity of eligible Conjugate vaccine (PCV1) instances, parental refusal – have children, the Federal Government of (94,929), Measles (95,891), prevented health workers from Nigeria supported by development Y e l l o w F e v e r v a c c i n e reaching all children everywhere partners immunized over 51 million administered to children under 1 with polio vaccines in Nigeria. children during the annual national year (92,662), Meningitis A immunization campaigns. Vaccine (MenA) under 1 year Working through the National (9,097) to eligible children. Emergency Operations Centre, The intervention, conducted in WHO and partners continue to phases, from 30 July-30 August Expressing her joy, Mrs Omoyemi support the Government of 2019, reached 51,151,924 eligible Ojo a mother in Lagos State in the Nigeria to surmount these children across 36 Nigerian states South-west said, “I am so happy challenges to ensure all children and the Federal Capital Territory my daughter was given oral polio are vaccinated against polio until (FCT). vaccine right here in my house,” t h e v i r u s i s e r a d i c a t e d she said. “It just made life a lot everywhere in the world. The campaign was integrated with easier for me, especially as a new Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) mum.” Support for immunisation to the and fractional Inactivated Polio On 21 August 2019, Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria Vaccine (fIPV). While 0-59 months' last country to record wild polio through WHO is made possible children received bOPV only in virus (WPV) case in Africa, with funding from the Bill & selected local Government Areas marked a major milestone in the Melinda Gates Foundation, (LGA) of 15 Nigerian states, namely, history Polio Eradication Initiative Department for International Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, (PEI) after reaching three years Development (DFID – UK), Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, without reporting any case of European Union, Gavi, the Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe and WPV. Vaccine Alliance, Government of Zamfara States, a total of Germany through KfW Bank, 12,020,045 children 14 weeks to 59 Speaking on the outcome of the Global Affairs Canada, United months were given both fIPV and national campaign, Dr Fiona States Agency for International bOPV. B r a k a , W H O N i g e r i a ' s Development (USAID), Rotary Immunization Team Leader said, International and the World Bank. “To make this campaign a success, “The essence of this campaign we engaged house to house was to ensure eligible children are Source: WHO vaccination teams comprising p r o t e c t e d f r o m v a c c i n e mainly women, mobilisers and town preventable diseases.” announcers. Parents of infants from PolioPlus

Rotary International 7 NOVEMBER 2019 An innovative approach to Disease Surveillance in Nigeria

and key informants are encouraged period of eight weeks. As at 31 August to report other priority diseases such 2019, 239 AFP cases have been as measles and yellow fever using a recorded across the country using data tool that was created for that AVADAR. purpose.

“AVADAR for us in Enugu State is an advancement towards what we have been doing, as it has helped in rapid detection and reporting of AFP cases in the implementing LGAs”, An innovative technology using a s a y s D r E z e n d u , S t a t e mobile short message service Epidemiologist Enugu State. “The (SMS)-based software is being involvement of informants of the used to improve the quality and respective communities in the sensitivity of Acute Flaccid AVADAR initiative is welcomed and Infusing technological innovations for Paralysis (AFP) surveillance in h a s b e e n a n i m p a c t f u l eradication of polio and other diseases Nigeria. Known as AVADAR development.” Since the launch of AVADAR in 2016, (Audio-Visual Acute Flaccid WHO has worked with Government Paralysis Detection and Reporting), and partners to train over 6,000 health this innovative technology is greatly workers, community informants, assisting health workers and key States and LGA surveillance officers community informants to timely across 11 implementing states on how detect and report AFP cases. AFP to use the SMS based app. surveillance is an integral part of the “WHO donated over 6,000 Global global polio eradication strategy Positioning System (GPS) android which requires health workers to enabled phones and accessories to promptly report any sudden trained health workers and key symptoms of paralysis in the limbs informants including influential district of children less than 15 years of age Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, Saed heads to help carry out active case in order to confirm or rule out the Umar, disease surveillance and search. WHO also trained district, circulation of wild polio virus. notification officer (DSNO), FUFORE state and national health authorities on “AVADAR has simplified our work LGA Adamawa, says “AVADAR has how to receive notification alerts in in the field,” says Dr Doris John, done a lot for surveillance in my LGA, their AVADAR phones from informants State Epidemiologist from Federal and I mean not only AFP and health workers whenever a Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja surveillance, but the generality of suspected AFP case is detected and s u p p o r t i n g t h e F e d e r a l disease surveillance. AVADAR has reported”, states Dr Salihu Ahmed, G o v e r n m e n t - W o r l d H e a l t h increased the sensitivity of AFP WHO-AVADAR National Coordinator. Organization's (WHO) polio surveillance and bridged the eradication program. knowledge gap on AFP amongst “Even though Nigeria has gone thirty- “Through AVADAR, we've been locals in my communities. AVADAR six (36) months without reporting a able to report and record a lot of has gone extra mile in facilitating case of wild poliovirus (WPV), we will potentially missed AFP cases in IDSR in my LGA. Because of not relent in ensuring all children are addition to other priority diseases, AVADAR, the cholera in Gurin area fully protected not just against polio directly from communities. This has was identified and reported, thus but also other vaccine preventable helped to provide speedy response saving the lives of thousands of diseases. WHO will continue to and care of affected persons”, she inhabitants despite the outbreak. We support the Government of Nigeria to added. need more of AVADAR project in infuse technological innovations in Adamawa State." health interventions as it helps to foster Furthermore, AFP surveillance is When the AVADAR project was accountability and simplifies difficult essential for polio-free certification. piloted in August 2016, 34 AFP tasks during the administration of Although the AVADAR app does cases were recorded Kuje and Oyun duties”, he adds. not have in-built features for Local Government Areas (LGAs), Source: WHO and ehealth africa reporting other priority diseases, (the two piloting LGAs) within a engaged AVADAR health workers PolioPlus

Rotary International 8 NOVEMBER 2019 THE PLUS IN POLIOPLUS: WE ARE DOING SO MUCH MORE THAN ERADICATING POLIO When we talk about PolioPlus, we know When they know something else is coming, We also help to create jobs we are eradicating polio, but do we realize reluctant families will bring their children out how many added benefits the program to have them immunized.” brings? The “plus” is something else that Volunteer community mobilizers are a is provided as a part of the polio critical part of vaccination campaigns in eradication campaign. It might be a hand- Nigeria's hardest-to-reach communities. operated tricycle or access to water. It The volunteers are selected and trained by might be additional medical treatment, UNICEF, one of Rotary's partners in the bed nets, or soap. GPEI, and then deployed in the community Polio left Isiaku Musa Maaji disabled, with few We prevent other diseases or displaced persons camp where they live. ways to make a living. At age 24, he learned to They take advantage of the time they spend build hand-operated tricycles designed to connecting with community members provide mobility for disabled adults and about polio to talk about other strategies to children, and later started his own business improve their families' health. Nigerian assembling them. Rotary's Nigeria PolioPlus Rotarians have been at the forefront of Committee recently ordered 150 tricycles raising support for Rotary's polio efforts. For from Maaji to distribute to polio survivors and example, Sir Emeka Offor, a member of the others with mobility problems. The Rotary Club of Abuja Ministers Hill, and his relationship he has built with local Rotarians

Insecticide treated nets donated by the GPEI help to prevent malaria foundation collaborated with Rotary and has motivated him to take part in door-to-door UNICEF to produce an audiobook called polio vaccination campaigns. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative Yes to Health, No to Polio that health “It is not easy to be physically challenged,” he (GPEI), of which Rotary is a spearheading workers use. says. “I go out to educate other people on the partner, funds 91 percent of all importance of polio vaccine because I don't immunization staff in the World Health want any other person to fall victim to polio.” Organization's Africa region. These staff The GPEI thus provides a job that's uniquely members are key figures in the fight suited to polio survivors: helping and against polio — and other diseases: 85 educating others about the effects of the percent give half their time to disease. immunization, surveillance, and outbreak response for other initiatives. For example We help improve the healthcare of the nation during an outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria in In Maiduguri, Falmata Mustapha rides a hand- 2014, health workers prevented that Volunteer Mobilizers help to improve the health of communities operated tricycle donated to her by Rotary's disease from spreading beyond 19 We provide clean water Nigeria PolioPlus Committee. She is joined by reported cases by using methods several health workers for a door-to-door developed for the polio eradication immunization campaign, bringing polio drops campaign to find anyone who might have to areas without basic health care. UNICEF come in contact with an infected person. ‘ data show that polio survivors like Mustapha Children protected from polio still face have a remarkable success rate persuading other illnesses such as malaria. reluctant parents to vaccinate their children — Worldwide, a child dies of malaria every on average, survivors convince seven of every two minutes. To prevent its spread, 10 parents they talk to. In places where insecticide-treated bed nets are misinformation and rumors have left people sometimes distributed for free during polio Addressing a critical long-term need such hesitant to vaccinate, the survivors' role in the immunization events. In 2017, the World as access to clean water helps build final phase of the eradication effort is critical. Health Organization, one of Rotary's relationships and trust with community “Since working with the team, I have seen an partners in the GPEI, organized a members. Within camps for displaced increase in immunization compliance in the campaign to deliver antimalarial people, vaccinators are sometimes met community,” Mustapha says. “I am well- medicines to children in Borno using polio with frustration. “People say, 'We don't have regarded in the community because of my eradication staff and infrastructure. It was water, and you're giving us polio drops,'” work, and I am happy about this.” the first time that antimalarial medicines Tunji Funsho explains. Rotary and its Eighteen million people around the world who were delivered on a large scale alongside partners responded by funding 31 solar- would have died or been paralyzed are alive the polio vaccine, and the effort reached powered boreholes to provide clean water and walking because of the polio eradication 1.2 million children. in northern Nigeria, and the effort is ongoing. campaign. Health workers and volunteers Rotary and its partners also distribute Access to safe drinking water is also an supported by PolioPlus grants have built an soap and organize health camps to treat important aspect of the GPEI's endgame infrastructure for delivering health care and other conditions. “The pluses vary from strategy, which encourages efforts that collecting data that, in many parts of the world, one area to another. Depending on the “ensure populations reached for polio didn't exist before. It's already being used to environment and what is seen as a need, campaigns are also able to access much- improve overall health care and to fight other we try to bridge the gap,” says Tunji needed basic services, such as clean water, diseases, proving that the legacy of PolioPlus Funsho, chair of Rotary's Nigeria PolioPlus sanitation, and nutrition.” The poliovirus is more than eradicating a deadly disease from Committee. “Part of the reason you get spreads through human waste, so making the planet — it's also building a stronger health rejections when you immunize children is sure people aren't drinking or bathing in system that provides better access to that we've been doing this for so long. In contaminated water is critical to eradicating lifesaving interventions for the world's most our part of the world, people look at things the disease. Communities with a reliable vulnerable children. that are free and persistent with suspicion. source of clean water enjoy a reduced rate Adapted from the reporting of Vanessa Glavinskas for of disease and a better quality of life. endpolio.org PolioPlus

Rotary International 9 NOVEMBER 2019 Kwara moves against polio as Governor inaugurates States Taskforce on Polio Eradication and Primary Healthcare

Management in Ilorin, the state capital. He said the meeting was to review the progress of primary health care and the recent immunisation exercises in the state, called on them to mobilise their people to ensure the success of all healthcare programmes in their LGAs. In his capacity as the Chairman of the State Task Force on Immunisation, he urged them to cooperate with the state government to exterminate polio and other diseases in the state. He also implored the people to take the issue of immunisation seriously and encourage their children to be vaccinated during every immunization activity. According to him, the state government was determined to improve the health sector, hence the attention given to the payment of counterpart funds among other recent improvements and innovations in the sector. He then Governor Abdulrazaq flags off a recent immunization activity in Ilorin commended the various stakeholders for their support and assistance in The Kwara State Governor, state Task Force especially with the ensuring the success of the health Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has prevailing outbreak of vaccine derived initiatives of the state government. inaugurated the state's taskforce on poliomyelitis in the state.” i m m u n i s a t i o n a n d p r i m a r y The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of healthcare. The inauguration, Health, Dr Rhoda Ajiboye, called on the according to him, forms a part of his Directors of Personnel Management to administration's efforts to stamp out accord priority to immunisation and polio in the state and strengthen open the necessary accounts to benefit access to primary healthcare. from the different intervention funds Governor Abdulrazaq, who said this available to the state. Also speaking, the i n a n a d d r e s s d u r i n g t h e Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local inauguration of the Task Force Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and headed by his deputy, Mr. Kayode Community Development, Hajiya Ajibike Alabi, said: “The presence of an Katibi noted that the Directors of active state Task Force on Personnel Management had critical Immunisation is a prerequisite for roles to play to make the state polio-free. quality polio campaigns and routine She appealed to them not to shun their immunisation services. responsibilities. Deputy Governor and Chair of Kwara State “The role of the Task Force among Taskforce on Immunization Rotn. Kayode Alabi The NPHCDA State Coordinator, Mrs. others is to coordinate/supervise all Bolatito Oladipo and the WHO State Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) In a related development, the Kwara Coordinator, Mr. Mustapha Katibi, who activities in particular and primary State Government has directed spoke on behalf of the development healthcare in general in line with Directors of Personnel Management partners, commended the positive recommendations from the state (DPM) in all the 16 Local Government disposition and giant stride achieved by technical team,” AbdulRazaq said. Areas of the state to play active roles the state government in the health “It is also to be noted that one of the in the drive to eradicate polio and sector. They pledged their support to r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r t h e f u l l other childhood diseases. The state's ensure the success of the programme. implementation of Primary Health Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) in said this at a recent meeting with all the state is the functionality of the t h e D i r e c t o r s o f P e r s o n n e l PolioPlus PHOTO NEWS Rotary International 10 NOVEMBER 2019

2019 NATIONAL FIELD WORKERS AWARD

From right - Emir of Kaltungo_ Shehu of Bama and Emir of Shonga Dr Haliru Yahaya Dr Tunji Funsho decorating Dr Annis Sidique with Paul Harris Fellow's pin receiving special Rotary International award from Dr Tunji Funsho

Dr Tuni Funsho presenting Paul Harris Fellow certificate to Dr U.S. Adamu, 2019 Awardees with the Royal Fathers at the event Incident Manager NEOC

Dr Tunji Funsho in a warm handshake with the Shehu of Bama, Royal Fathers at the 2019 National Field Workers Award. Left - Emir of Shonga Special Guest of Honour for the 2019 National Field Workers Award, Abuja Dr Haliru Yahaya, Dr Tunji Funsho, Shehu of Bama Alh. Kyari Ibrahim El-kanemi, CON, Emir of Kaltungo Alh. Sale Muhammadu, CON

Presentation of awards Polio Celebrirty Ambassador Sani Danja performing PolioPlus PHOTO NEWS Rotary International 11 NOVEMBER 2019

World Press Conference for the 2019 World Polio Day Celebrations. From left - Dr Kazeem Mustapha, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Dr Tunji Funsho, Kaltungo cultural dancers perfoming at the National Field Workers Award Dr Victor Onukwugha and PDG Joshua Hassan

Dr Faisal Shuaib Chief Executive Director, NPHCDA at AKIIN SHUGA Polio Celebrity Ambassador giving his remarks at the World Press Conference the National Field Workers Award 2019 WEST AFRICA PROJECT FAIR

Some Rotarians at the Project Fair polio booth Dr Tunji Funsho presenting sourvenirs to PDG Brad Howard at the 2019 West Africa Project Fair, Monrovia

From right - PDG Dr Kamoru Omotosho, Dr Jide Akeredolu (DG 9110) and Dr Tunji Funsho From left - DGN Remi Bello, Dr Tunji Funsho, PDG Brad Howard and at the Polio Booth in Monrovia PDG Dr Kamoru Omotosho at the Project Fair PolioPlus PHOTO NEWS Rotary International 12 NOVEMBER 2019 2019 WORLD POLIO DAY CELEBRATION

Sir Emeka Offor in red End Polio Now polo during the Sir Emeka Offor presenting cash gift to the best player presentation of tricycles to polio survivors in Abuja of the 2019 Para soccer tournament

Sir Emeka Offor (in red End Polio Now Polo), supported by Rotarians Some riders at the polio walk in Abuja pose with Captains of the winning teams for 2019 Parasoccer Tournament

Rotarian Golfers during the golf tournament in commemoration Keep Polio@Zero blimp of 2019 World Polio Day in Abuja

DGE Yeye Jumoke Bamigboye presents a Banneret to Children skaters during the polio walk in Abuja the representative of Kwara state Governor PolioPlus PHOTO NEWS Rotary International 13 NOVEMBER 2019

DG Victor Onukwugha in blue attire, PDG Ijeoma Okoro (in red polio cap and scarf) PDG Elvis Chukwu giving remarks and Rotarians at the WPD thanksgiving at the 2019 World Polio Day Dr Tunji Funsho with some school children at Holy Trinity Church Abuja Celebrations Church Thanksgiving in Jos during the polio walk in Abuja

From left Dr Kazeem Mustapha, Dr Tunji Funsho, DG Victor Launching of the 2019 WPD Blimp in Abuja Onukwugha, PAG Yakubu Ndanusa (5th from left) and PDG Tolu Omatsola (in red tshirt) at the opening session of 2019 Para soccer tournament

DG Dr Victor Onukwugha during the opening of Parasoccer Tournament Distribution of End Polio Now exercise books in Salihu Dogo Primary School, Taraba

Cross section of Jos Rotarians at 2019 World Polio Day Thanksgiving Rotary Club of Port Harcourt East polio rally PolioPlus PHOTO NEWS 14 NOVEMBER 2019

Rotary International

The Chairman, KWSHA Committee on Health & Environment DG 9110 Dr Jide Akeredolu addressing Rotarians before and the Secretary to the State Government at the WPD event in Ilorin the WPD walk in Lagos

Rotactors during the polio walk in Lagos Power bikers during the polio rally in Enugu

Polio World Greatest Meal by R.C. Barnawa Kaduna Polio rally by Rotarians in Yola, Adamawa state

Members of R.C.Oyo Metro advocacy visit to HRH Lamidi Dr Jide Akeredolu (DG9110) in blue jacket, DGN Remi Bello Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo as part of WPD celebrations (3rd from left) leads the polio walk in Lagos PolioPlus PHOTO NEWS Rotary International 15 NOVEMBER 2019

Some Polio Survivors at the Opening of 2019 World Polio End Polio Now masquarades in Eket, Day Parasoccer Tournament Akwa Ibom State

D9110 Rotarians celebrating the 2019 WPD in Lagos Rotarians and polio survivors celebrating WPD in Ado Ekiti

Hospital monument at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, WHO Kwara State Coordinator Pharmacist Katibi addressing re-branded END POLIO NOW by Rotary Clubs in Enugu. Rotarians and partners at the WPD celebrations in Ilorin

Ending Polio... Spiderman in action Little girl supporting polio fund Polio Rally in Benin City PolioPlus

Rotary International NOVEMBER 2019

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