As World Polio Day passed yesterday, I reflected on how through global unity and commitment we have achieved a 99.9% decrease in polio cases since the 1988 World Health Organisation landmark resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio that was adopted at the 41st World Health Assembly.

In 2020 Africa was certified as free of indigenous wild polio, and while our progress is commendable, new outbreaks do continue to occur, reminding us that our efforts to deliver on the eradication of all forms of polio everywhere, is necessary, as until then no child is safe anywhere.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa is committed to the international cooperation needed to protect innocent children from diseases, particularly polio, and empowers our on the field health care workers, including WBFA midwives and nurses to administer and achieve this humanitarian goal. Trusted frontline advocacy and education is necessary to overcome vaccine hesitancy, lack of access and misinformation.

I was encouraged to see the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s GPEI 2022-2026 Strategy highlighted at the 2022 World Health Summit earlier this month, and that the polio pledging event will fund the roadmap and strategy to a healthier world for all children and mothers. Going ‘beyond’ while we build on our current investments will ensure no other life is lost to a preventable disease, and that life-saving services will enable mothers to have a positive experience of their pregnancy and young children to achieve their full developmental potential.

A big thank you to all the dedicated health care staff who safeguard every eligible child from polio, and continue to vaccinate despite significant challenges.

📸 At Lugbe PHC, Abuja, 2018 – I like to personally attend African Vaccination Week which takes place every year in April, at any of our Mamacare HCF locations when I can, to build confidence and trust for the oral polio vaccine.