Enugu: The Enugu State Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have reiterated their commitment to making Enugu State polio-free through various interventions. They made this declaration during an event marking the 2025 World Polio Day in Enugu, themed ‘End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, stated that the state had prioritised polio eradication through intensified routine immunisation. These efforts include targeted vaccination outreach, enhanced surveillance, and massive investment in primary healthcare revitalisation. The recent investments and activities involve state-wide participation in two national rounds of Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIA), resulting in 2,387,016 children aged 0-59 months being vaccinated with the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV) in April and June 2025.
The commissioner highlighted additional efforts such as a two-day vaccination outreach in Umuchigbo and Ugwuogo wards targeting children under one, and a health walk sensitising 16 communities on the benefits of vaccination. Collaborations with partners like WHO, UNICEF, and local NGOs further support these immunisation efforts. Ugwu emphasized the state’s innovative strategies to enhance immunisation coverage and surveillance as key weapons against polio.
Prof. Ugwu mentioned that Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration remains committed to keeping the state polio-free and improving overall healthcare outcomes for Enugu residents. This commitment is evident in the investment in healthcare infrastructure, personnel training, and community engagement, including building 260 type-2 Primary Healthcare facilities across all 260 wards of the state.
Despite progress, Ugwu acknowledged ongoing challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, insecurity, and infrastructure gaps. He stressed that the Enugu State Government, with partners’ support, is intensifying community engagement, risk communication, and strengthening surveillance and outbreak response. The state is also enhancing immunisation governance and coverage, fostering partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders. Ugwu urged all stakeholders, including communities, healthcare workers, and partners, to support vaccination efforts and promote awareness.
Dr Adaeze Ugwu, the WHO State Coordinator in Enugu, expressed the organisation’s commitment to supporting communities in eradicating the disease. She praised the relentless efforts of communities and health workers, urging continued innovation and advocacy for every child to receive the life-changing polio vaccine. “Together, we can make history. Let us finish the job of ending polio,” she stated.
Dr Amaechi Mgbodile, the Director of Medical Services at the Enugu State Ministry of Health, emphasized the need to enlighten communities about the polio virus and vaccination.