Doctor Harry-Banigo stated this while speaking virtually at an event to mark the 2020 International World Polio Day, saying that the World Polio Day presents a global opportunity to rally round in the fight to eradicate the disease forever.
According to the Deputy Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Rivers State Task Force on Immunization and Primary Health Care, the Rivers State Task Force on Immunizations is a multi-ministerial group of very passionate men and women who are determined to improve routine immunization coverage.
The Deputy Governor in a statement by the Head of his Press Unit, Owupele Benebo noted that Governor Nyesom Wike and his Wife had been a strong pillar of support in the quest to reduce the disease burden of the Rivers People.
The Deputy Governor further stressed, that a strong polio eradication programme was a great plus for the overall health systems, adding that the structure that have been put in place to fight polio also addresses issues of malaria, Ebola virus, Measles, Yellow fever, Hepatitis and the fight against covid-19 transmission and control.
Doctor Harry-Banigo who expressed delight that Africa has kicked out polio commended Rotary Women and all partners for their concerted efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis.
Also Speaking, Rotary District 9141 Governor, Virginia Major said the Deputy Governor who is a Public Health Specialist said polio eradication has been through high-level polio advocacy, sensitization and public awareness creation, and field activities, including supportive supervision of polio vaccination and surveillance, as well as financial contributions.
She noted that at the time of achieving Africa’s polio-free status, Rotary has contributed over two point one billion US dollars to polio eradication efforts in its forty-one years of interest in polio.
