WHO, MEMBER COUNTRIES MEET ON SYNCHRONIZATION OF CROSS BORDER ACTIVITIES IN LAKE CHAD BASIN

"We need to maintain the strong collaboration and synergy in the implementation of activities with the bloc. The global threats are varied with sector wide implications on responding to health emergencies generally and others will come." Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo.

..... The call for mechanisms to improve on efficiency and quality of delivery interventions cannot be downplayed."

Country Representative of the World Health Organization, WHO, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo has commended member countries for their efforts at interrupting cVPV2 in the Lake Chad Basin Countries comprising Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo gave this commendation at an ongoing meeting on Enhanced Cross border Synchronization of Activities in the Lake Chad Basin Countries, in Abuja, the nigerian capital. 

The WHO Country Representative, in a speech he delivered, noted that "the success of eradication of wild polio virus in Africa, hinged on the strong collaboration, coordination, and teamwork across these countries. The experiences therefore lend hope to eradication of cVPV2 as soon as possible."

According to Dr. Mulombo, "The global milestone for interruption of cVPV2 continue to be missed; meeting the revised milestone for 2025 cannot be overemphasized. It would be a great relief to millions of children in Africa be risk free from paralysis of all forms of polio by the end of this year.

"The dimensions of insecurity protracted humanitarian crisis, highly displaced and mobile population, and diverse social needs of the population in the Lake Chad Basin, make the bloc consequential for persistent polio transmission." He stated.

He pointed out that, "despite these challenges, the people living in these communities across the countries know no boundaries. I am informed leveraging on this, the countries continued to engage in planning and implementation of both surveillance and vaccination interventions.

"We need to maintain the strong collaboration and synergy in the implementation of activities with the bloc. The global threats are varied with sector wide implications on responding to health emergencies generally and others will come. The call for mechanisms to improve on efficiency and quality of delivery interventions cannot be downplayed. We need to harness all stakeholders at all levels, including community leaders and gate keepers across the country borders to ensure all children are protected from polio virus.

"As you review your performance, it is my anticipation the lessons from the countries will strengthen our collective efforts to resolving the bottlenecks thus far.

"We are happy to facilitate as WRs in the countries and set up a group in support of the coordination mechanism. It is important that we consider accountability at all level. As WRs, we can help escalate, use us and I am happy to discuss this with my peers." Dr Mulombo said.

In his conclusion, the WHO Country Representative assured of his Organization's commitment to the goal of polio virus eradication in all countries, even as he wished participants fruitful deliberation while awaiting their recommendations.