Nigeria News

Epidemiologists from WHO Africa and Eastern Mediterranean regions meet in Accra to discuss surveillance of diseases in the two regions

01 February 2002 -- Epidemiologists and Experts meeting in Accra to assess progress made in the implementation of the UN funded Project on strengthening surveillance and response for vaccine-preventable and epidemic prone diseases, have called for effective documentation to enable national programs and their partners have useful evidence based on field experience in the implementation of the project.

12 March 2002 -- In its continued efforts to find solutions to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, the Nigerian government, over the weekend, held a Presidential Forum on HIV/AIDS. Hosted by President Olusegun Obasanjo, the forum was attended by a number of dignitaries including former United States President Jimmy Carter; Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates (Snr.); Professor Jeffrey Sachs; Dr. Helen Gayle and a former Nigerian President, Dr. Yakubu Gowon.

13 March 2002 --For Nigeria to meet the global target of interrupting transmission of wild poliovirus by the end of this year, it has been recommended that the country conducts two rounds of Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) in April and May. These will be done in the whole states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano and Jigawa as well as parts of Borno, Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which are considered as high risk areas for polio transmission.

22 April 2002 -- Nigeria requires an estimated budget of about US$ 53.4 million to implement its polio eradication activities this year. The country and nine others, where wild poliovirus is still transmitted, have till the end of this year to stop its transmission, to pave way for eradication of polio and certification of a polio-free world in 2005.

However, of this amount, about US$ 38.4 million has been realised in actual funds and pledges from Government and its Partners in the Polio Eradication Initiative, leaving a funding gap of about US$15 million.

Kano, Nigeria: 2 October 2004-- The Executive Governor of Kano State, Nigeria, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has reiterated that the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is safe for consumption by children. He has consequently directed all Kano indigenes and indeed all Nigerians to ensure that their children below five years of age are immunized during the forthcoming National Immunization Days (NIDs) scheduled for 9th - 12th October 2004, as well as in subsequent rounds.

10 October 2004  --Nigerians have been urged to stay indoors from 6.00 am till 1.00 pm on Saturday, 9th October 2004, to enable vaccination teams immunize children below five years of age with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), as they move from house to house during the forthcoming four-day National Immunization Days (NIDs) which starts on that day.

Abuja, 5 April 2005-- The developed countries of the world and Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have been called upon to provide more resources for health, especially to African countries, so as to enable Africa achieve the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo made the appeal in Abuja, Nigeria, at a joint Ministerial media briefing to mark this year's World Health Day in the country.

6 April 2005 -- They are both over 70 years of age, but for Adedehin Ebunolu Adefeso, past District Governor (PDG) of District 9110 (1995-1996), and Jonathan Majiyagbe, former President of Rotary International(2003-2004), polio eradication is such a strong unifying force for the club and they have devoted their lives to promoting its ideals.

6 April 2005  -- Enthusiasm and commitment for polio eradication was high at the flag-off of the second round of National Immunization Days at Talata Marafa local government area in Zamfara State. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, joined Professor E. Lambo, Federal Minister of Health and His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara State Alhaji Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura to launch the final push to stop polio for good in Zamfara state.

"Reach every country, district, woman with proven health interventions" - WHO Regional Director for Africa