Somalia Urgently Appeals for Vaccination to Tackle the Lengthiest Variant Outbreak Globally
On October 24, 2024, the Somali Health Minister, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, took the stage during a gathering in Mogadishu to commemorate World Polio Day. This occasion underscored Somalia’s fresh determination to stamp out polio and ramp up vaccination campaigns in alliance with WHO and UNICEF. CREDIT: Ministry of Health – Somalia/ X (Twitter)
Mogadishu (AX) — On World Polio Day, Somalia, hand in hand with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, reaffirmed its pledge to eliminate polio, urging heightened actions to shield every child from this crippling illness. Authorities sounded a warning that the country faces an increased threat of outbreaks without ongoing vaccination efforts, as it contends with the planet’s longest-standing outbreak of variant poliovirus type 2.
Dr. Ali Haji Adam, Somalia’s Federal Minister of Health, underscored the critical role of vaccination in securing the nation’s well-being. “With every jab, we inch nearer to a polio-free Somalia,” he asserted. “It’s crucial for all partners to prioritize funding and support as we expand our vaccination efforts throughout 2024.”
Remarkably, Somalia managed to halt the spread of wild poliovirus by 2014. Nonetheless, the current variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak, along with repeated bouts of measles and cholera, strains the nation’s fragile healthcare framework, already stretched by unrelenting droughts and floods. These environmental challenges complicate reaching children tucked away in remote, neglected parts of the country.
“Somalia’s stride in combating polio is praiseworthy, especially in its far-flung areas,” stated Dr. Mohamed Ali Kamil, WHO Deputy Representative. “But we can’t rest easy. It’s imperative to stay watchful and unwaveringly devoted to vaccinating every single child, ensuring the virus doesn’t make a comeback.”
Nizar Syed, UNICEF’s Deputy Country Representative, echoed the need for intensified efforts. “On this World Polio Day, we’re reminded of the ascent we’ve made, yet also of the daunting work ahead,” he noted. “No child should fall victim to paralysis from a preventable ailment. The path to safeguarding future generations lies in bolstering vaccine drives and fortifying our health systems.”
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which kicked off in 1988, boasts a monumental achievement in slashing global polio cases by 99%. Yet, Somalia’s intricate political environment, intertwined with continuous environmental hurdles, hampers total eradication.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
