Jonathan Pledges To End Polio By End Of 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards ending polio transmission in the country by the end of this year.
He also disclosed that the federal government was boosting surveillance and routine immunization in border communities while collaborating with border countries to checkmate and prevent further spread and transmission of the virus from countries like Cameroon which just  suffered an outbreak.
The president made these disclosures yesterday in Abuja at the Nigeria Polio Summit, with the theme ‘Sustaining the End Game Strategy Tempo’, organized by Rotary International in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.
Jonathan, who was represented by the health minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, also called on state governors to continue to provide personal leadership in their states for the pogramme, by requesting and reviewing monthly reports from the LGA chairpersons, on the progress being made
in their respective domain.
He also disclosed that over the last months, he has had series of meetings with governors with the least performing LGAs to personally discuss their challenges and forge the way forward, while given recognition to state and traditional institutions that have done well in ensuring that children in the country are immunized.
The president said, “My administration through the Ministry of Health, the Polio Task Force and the Emergency Operational Centre of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency shall continue to drive this programme nationwide. We will continue to do our best to ensure the required funding for the polio eradication programme is provided, and I am sure the coordinating minister for the economy is doing her utmost best, to ensure all our pledges are fulfilled.”
Earlier in his remarks, the district governor, District 9125, Rotary International, Mr Felix Aninze, revealed that  $120 billion has been committed by the end of  2012 by Rotary International to eradicate the scourge.
He, however, said that because of civil conflict, inadequate infrastructure amongst others, the chance to eradicate polio was missed.
“We are not unaware of the end game challenges si the summit is to catalyse and exploit the opportunities available to firmly root out polio. We hope that this time next year, we shall gather together to receive certificate of polio eradication from the World Health Organisation.”
Also, the past president Rotary  International and Past Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair, Mr Wilfred Wilkinson said that  a successful commitment against polio must have the full commitment of the government.