The spread of polio virus in some endemic states in the North has remained a source of concern to the government as the menace has turned into a national tragedy, the National Orientation Agency [NOA], has declared.
Director General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, made this known at a sensitisation workshop for Chairmen of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), NOA Directors and officials of the Ministry of Health in Kano, yesterday.
He said despite huge spendings and commitments by both the Federal Government and the international community to eradicate the disease, "polio has now become a national embarrassment and a tragedy".
NOA's position was submitted during the one day sensitisation programme on polio eradication for the risk states of the north, organised by NOA in collaboration with federal ministry of Health.
He said that already reports have indicated that there were new discovery of fresh diseases of polio and meningitis in some parts of the northern states, while the federal government has increased its commitment to meeting the target of completely removing the menace from the country.
Mr. Omeri who was represented by an officer in the agency, Dr Ayoola Abiodun Olufemi, explained that despite the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan with regard to health and polio eradication, the disease has so far defied all means of total eradication because of lack of awareness by the people.
He said after the sensitisation programme, they had agreed to draw modules on how best they would approach the elimination of the disease through enlightenment campaign in various communities.
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