Polio Eradication in Enugu: Government, WHO vow to intensify routine vaccination
October 24, 2025 | Enugu
The Enugu State Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have renewed their strong commitment to Polio Eradication in Enugu through intensified routine vaccination and continuous community sensitisation campaigns.
The pledge was made on Friday during the 2025 World Polio Day celebration in Enugu, themed “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere.”
Speaking at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Professor George Ugwu, said the state government has made Polio Eradication in Enugu a top priority through targeted immunisation outreach, enhanced surveillance, and major investment in primary healthcare revitalisation. He explained that the state participated in two national rounds of Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIA) in 2025, during which 2,387,016 children aged 0 to 59 months were vaccinated with the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV) in April and June. Read more: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/immunization
According to him, the state also organised a two-day vaccination outreach in Umuchigbo and Ugwuogo wards targeting children under one year old, alongside a health walk across 16 communities to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination. “We continue to collaborate with WHO, UNICEF, and local NGOs to strengthen immunisation coverage and combat misinformation about vaccines,” he said. https://www.who.int/
Ugwu added that Governor Peter Mbah’s administration remains committed to keeping Enugu polio-free in line with the global eradication targets while also improving healthcare outcomes for residents. He noted that this commitment is reflected in the government’s investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel training, and the construction of 260 new Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across all wards of the state.
He, however, acknowledged that despite these achievements, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, insecurity, and infrastructure gaps still exist. According to him, the state government, with the support of WHO and other partners, is intensifying community engagement and risk communication, strengthening surveillance and outbreak response, and improving immunisation governance and coverage. “We urge all stakeholders, including communities, healthcare workers, and partners, to support vaccination efforts and promote awareness,” the commissioner added. https://gmtnewsng.com/polio-eradication-enugu
Dr Adaeze Ugwu, the WHO State Coordinator for Enugu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting communities in their efforts to eradicate the disease. She commended the tireless work of community health workers and volunteers, saying, “Let us keep pushing forward, making new innovations, and ensuring every child receives this life-saving polio vaccine. Together, we can make history by ending polio for good.”
The Director of Medical Services in the Enugu State Ministry of Health, Dr Amaechi Mgbodile, also stressed the need for continued enlightenment of communities on the dangers of the polio virus and the importance of routine immunisation.
World Polio Day, observed globally every October 24, highlights the progress made toward eradicating poliomyelitis and sustaining global awareness about vaccination as the most effective strategy to achieve total Polio Eradication in Enugu and worldwide.
For more on healthcare development initiatives under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, visit Enugu boosts healthcare infrastructure under Mbah’s leadership. http://gmtnewsng.com
