to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard.
United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard
has congratulated the government and people of Nigeria for
attaining a wild poliovirus-free status.
The US envoy noted that the feat was achieved after years of
joint efforts to remove Nigeria from the list of wild polio-endemic
countries.
“We are proud of our partnership with Nigeria and cherish the
cooperation that ensures the country has the technical expertise
and resources required for success,” the ambassador was quoted as
saying in a statement issued on Friday. “No country could have
achieved this great feat without the support of its partners.”
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While reiterating the commitment of the US to continue its
partnership with the Federal Government, Leonard called on the
President Muhammadu Buhari administration to build on its successes
in fighting polio, including strengthening routine immunization,
and improving the health of children and their families.
She however warned that a resurgence of polio can still occur
despite the certification by the World Health Organisation.
The diplomat said she is confident that Nigeria has the
strategies in place to ensure the gains made in the polio
eradication efforts are not lost and that the momentum achieved in
achieving this certification continues.
SEE FULL STATEMENT HERE
PRESS RELEASE
August 28, 2020For Immediate Release
PR-0XX/2020U.S. Congratulates Nigeria on Wild Polio-free Status,
Calls for Vigilance and Improved Routine Immunization
Abuja – U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard
congratulated the government and people of Nigeria for attaining a
wild poliovirus-free status after years of joint efforts to qualify
Nigeria to be removed from the list of wild polio endemic
countries.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“We are proud of our partnership with Nigeria and cherish the
cooperation that ensures the country has the technical expertise
and resources required for success,” the Ambassador said at an
August 24 Town Hall meeting with Embassy staff and polio
eradication stakeholders. “No country could have achieved
this great feat without the support of its partners.”She added that the United States stands ready to continue its
partnership with Nigeria as it consolidates and builds upon its
successes in fighting polio, including strengthening routine
immunization, and improving the health of children and their
families.The certification comes after four years without any reported
cases of polio in Nigeria and following an in-depth review and
acceptance of the country’s certification documentation.Ambassador Leonard said she is confident that Nigeria has
strategies in place to ensure the gains made in the polio
eradication efforts are not lost and that the momentum achieved in
achieving this certification continues. Despite the certification,
a resurgence of polio can still occur.It is therefore critical that the country’s disease surveillance
system is sensitive enough to quickly detect and respond to
diseases.Ambassador Leonard recognized the role of the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) at the forefront of partnering
with the people of Nigeria toward polio eradication efforts in the
country.Since 2012, the CDC and USAID have invested approximately $150
million and $70 million, respectively, toward Nigeria’s polio
eradication efforts. The agencies work in Nigeria at the
state and local levels to strengthen surveillance, polio campaigns,
polio outbreak response efforts, and routine immunization.Implementing partners include: the African Field
Epidemiology Network, Core Group Partners Program, International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UNICEF, and
Word Health Organization.