JOIN USIndian doctors lend a helping hand to Nigeria to curb polio
Polio has been officially eradicated from India. But the country faces threats from other countries including Pakistan and Nigeria, which still have high incidence of the disease.
Despite being geographically far from India, the fact that a large number of Indians live in south Nigeria for reasons of trade and employment, there is a possibility of polio being transmitted back to India.
A group of experts from India is visiting Nigeria as a goodwill gesture to ensure that the disease is eradicated from there too.
Nigeria has seen an upsurge in polio cases from 62 in 2011 to 101 in 2012.
Immunisation
“Sections of the population in Nigeria are resisting immunisation for their children. The refusal is largely on religious grounds and certain misconceptions,” said former president of Rotary International Raja Saboo.
“In some areas in northern part of Nigeria, access and reach to healthcare is still a big challenge. It is a big concern for polio-free countries which have ties with Nigeria,” added Saboo, who has traversed the African region on different humanitarian missions.
The global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) — a group of UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International and centre for disease control — has shown concern towards this phenomenon.
A group of experts will go on a medical mission to support healthcare in Nigeria, one of the three countries in the world left with polio.
The other two are Pakistan and Afghanistan.