Nigeria is grappling with a surge in the transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), as revealed by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Dr. Muyi Aina, the Agency’s Executive Director, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a strategic engagement with religious leaders. The meeting, organized by the NPHCDA in collaboration with the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, sought to rally community support in tackling the alarming polio situation.
Dr. Aina disclosed that 70 cases of cVPV2 have been recorded across 46 local government areas in 14 northern states, signaling an ongoing spread of the virus. He attributed the concerning trend to low routine immunization rates and vaccine hesitancy during polio campaigns. “This must change,” Dr. Aina emphasized. “We need to ensure that every woman has access to antenatal care, that all pregnancies are overseen by skilled midwives, and that every child completes their routine immunizations according to the national schedule. Vaccination teams visiting homes must be welcomed. Together, we can build a system that leaves no mother or child behind.”
He further urged religious leaders to renew their commitment to promoting vaccination and enhancing maternal and child healthcare within their communities. Dr. Aina emphasized the crucial role religious leaders play in dismantling barriers to healthcare, fostering trust between communities and healthcare providers, and encouraging the equitable distribution of medical services. “Your influence can save lives,” he added, highlighting their power to counter misinformation and promote health-positive behaviors.
In many rural and underserved areas of Northern Nigeria, accessing essential maternal and child health services remains a significant challenge. Dr. Aina lamented the high mortality rate, revealing that Nigeria loses about 2,300 children under the age of five and 145 women of childbearing age each day, with the majority of these deaths occurring in the northern region. He stressed that many of these deaths are preventable through immunization and adequate maternal care.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the vital role religious and traditional leaders have played in eradicating the Wild Polio Virus and raising awareness about health interventions.
He urged them to continue supporting vaccination efforts and to engage in open discussions to address the challenges facing their communities. The Sultan also called on religious leaders to extend their charitable giving, through zakat and tithes, to support healthcare initiatives for the less privileged.