The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says Nigeria is currently witnessing an intense transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2(cVPV2)
During an engagement meeting in Abuja with religious leaders, organized in collaboration with the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, the agency’s Executive Director, Muyi Aina, revealed that 70 cases of cVPV2 have been recorded across 46 local government areas in 14 northern states.
Aina emphasized that this surge indicates ongoing transmission of the virus, primarily due to low rates of routine immunization and vaccine refusals during polio campaigns.
He urged that this situation must change: “We must ensure every woman has access to antenatal care, that every pregnancy is delivered by trained and skilled midwives, and that every child completes their routine immunization according to the national schedule, receiving vaccines whenever teams visit their homes. Together, we must create a system that ensures no mother or child is left behind.”
He called on religious leaders to renew their commitment to enhancing vaccination and improving maternal and child health in their communities. “We must focus on dismantling barriers to care, ensuring equitable access to services, and fostering trust between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. Our collective efforts can create an environment where every Nigerian child is immunized, and every Nigerian mother receives the care she deserves.”
Aina acknowledged the crucial role that religious leaders play in mobilizing their communities, noting that as trusted figures, they have the ability to dispel myths, correct misinformation, and promote positive health-seeking behaviors. He stated that their influence could mean the difference between a child succumbing to a preventable illness and one who survives because of vaccination.
He highlighted the challenges in many parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved areas, where access to essential maternal and child health services remains limited.
Aina noted the alarming statistics: every day, Nigeria loses approximately 2,300 children under five and 145 women of childbearing age, with the majority of these deaths occurring in Northern Nigeria.
