Rotary International has said that although the World Health Organisation has removed Nigeria from the list of endemic nations, all hands must be on deck to completely eradicate Polio because the country is not yet Polio free.
The group’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee (NNPPC) Chairman, Dr Tunji Funsho said this during a press briefing in Lagos.
He said “Polio remains our focus. Until it is eradicated, we will not leave it. We are not yet polio free. So, all hands must be on deck.”
He commended the recent WHO announcement describing it as a milestone that would not have been possible without the contributions of members, donors and government’s cooperation.
He estimated that since 1996, Rotary has spent $207million on the disease’s eradication, its partners $8billion, adding that worldwide, the organisation spent over $1.9billion.
He explained that there were 12 cases in 2012, the figure came down to six in 2013 and last year, adding that since July 24, last year, there had been no case of the virus in the country.
He urged Nigerians to ensure that Nigeria gets the Polio-free certification by 2017.