Enugu Gov’t, WHO Reaffirm Commitment To Polio Eradication 

The Enugu State Government, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has restated its commitment to making the state completely polio-free through strengthened vaccination campaigns and community sensitisation.

This assurance was given during an event held in Enugu to mark the 2025 World Polio Day with the theme, “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere.”

Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the government had prioritised polio eradication through intensified routine immunisation, targeted vaccination outreach, and revitalisation of primary healthcare services. He disclosed that over 2.3 million children under five years were vaccinated during two national rounds of the Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIA) in April and June 2025.

According to him, the state also conducted a two-day vaccination outreach in Umuchigbo and Ugwuogo wards, alongside a sensitisation walk across 16 communities to promote vaccine awareness. He added that Enugu was collaborating with WHO, UNICEF, and other partners to boost immunisation coverage and surveillance — key strategies in ending polio transmission.

Ugwu noted that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah had demonstrated unwavering commitment to public health by investing in modern healthcare infrastructure, training personnel, and constructing 260 type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 wards.

While acknowledging existing challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and infrastructure gaps, the commissioner said government and partners were intensifying community engagement, risk communication, and outbreak response mechanisms.

He appealed to community leaders, healthcare workers, and development partners to sustain their support for vaccination efforts and public enlightenment campaigns.

Also speaking, the WHO State Coordinator in Enugu, Dr. Adaeze Ugwu, praised health workers and communities for their dedication to the global fight against polio. She reaffirmed the organisation’s continued support, urging all stakeholders to “keep pushing forward and ensure that every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine.”

“Together, we can make history — let’s finish the job of ending polio,” she said.

The Director of Medical Services, Enugu State Ministry of Health, Dr. Amaechi Mgbodile, emphasised the importance of continuous enlightenment and advocacy, stressing that community awareness remains central to sustaining Enugu’s polio-free status.