Rhoda Adesilu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2020 Press Contact: Rhoda Adesilu- AFRICA KICKS OUT WILD POLIO African Region Celebrates her Wild Poliovirus-Free Certification ABUJA - NIGERIA – AUGUST 24, 2020 – The certification of wild Poliovirus eradication in the African Region will be celebrated tomorrow, August 25, 2020 during the 70th session of the Regional Committee for the African Region, World Health Organization (WHO). The event will focus mainly on the momentous milestone attained by the African Region in wiping out the menace of wild poliovirus from the the face of the continent, after 4 years of not recording a single case of the disease. “In 1996, the great African leader, Nelson Mandela launched the kick polio out of Africa campaign with Rotary Internationals support, setting out a vision for a polio-free Africa. At that time, wild polio paralyzed 75,000 children each year. To protect communities from this crippling disease, African leaders, health workers, volunteers, parents, global donors and organizations united to reach every child with polio vaccines.” – World Health Organization (WHO)/Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Today, the decades of extraordinary investment has finally paid off after 4 years without a single case of wild polio in Africa. The Region has been certified free of wild poliovirus. Estimates provided by WHO, GPEI reveals that between 1996 – 2020, “1.8 million wild polio cases were averted, 9 billion oral vaccine doses were provided, 220 million children were vaccinated multiple times every year, and 2 million volunteer vaccinators support polio campaigns every year.” These relentless efforts, contributions and selfless dedication towards achieving this remarkable breakthrough in the continent is worth celebrating. Keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General - Polio Oversight Board. His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be giving the Presidential keynote speech. Also featuring during the special session will be Dr. Zweli Lawrence Mkhize, Honorable Minister of Health, South Africa, who will give a situational analysis report on South Africa: Combating Covid-19 Experiences to date. Philanthropist and Chairman, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, and Philanthropist and Founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, will both be having a discussion on Investing in Immunization and Global Health. This 70th session of the Regional Committee for the African Region, World Health Organization (WHO) will be hosted by members of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Members of the public are invited to join the virtual event via Facebook and YouTube live streams on WHO channels. Visit www.rhodaadesilu.org or email-to learn more about the event. ###