Polio

Mandera County’s Initiative Against Polio: A Community-Centric Approach The sun rose with a renewed sense of urgency in Mandera County, casting long shadows on the dusty roads leading to the villages spread across the area. A sense of unity pervades the air, linked to a mission that transcends beyond borders: a battle against an invisible enemy, polio. Have you ever considered the impact of a single vaccine drop on the life of a child? From February 21 to 25, 2025, the Mandera County Department of Health is…

Mogadishu (AX) — In the bustling streets of Somalia's capital, a significant initiative quietly unfolds, marked by the colorful presence of health workers armed with life-saving vials. With palpable determination, the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, bolstered by global allies like WHO, UNICEF, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has embarked on a crucial four-day polio vaccination campaign. Their mission? To immunize 2.5 million children under the tender age of five against a persistent adversary:…

Mogadishu (AX) — Reflecting on the turbulent year of 1998, Ahmed Moalim Hirsi embarked on a daunting mission: to battle the pervasive threat of polio in a nation beleaguered by conflict and chaos. Imagine navigating a landscape where health systems were mere shadows of what they ought to be. Yet, amid the cacophony and confusion, Ahmed had a singular focus: safeguard the future of Somali youth from a morbid affliction that had gripped communities in terror for decades. At 65, Ahmed now stands at the precipice of a new…

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a recent airstrike on a polio vaccination center in northern Gaza has left six individuals injured, including four young children. After a necessary pause in vaccinations due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes, the WHO restarted its second round of immunizations in the region just yesterday. The organization had previously halted these life-saving initiatives amidst escalating violence. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, remarked, "The healthcare facility was…

Dr. Ubah Farah, a fervent advocate for UNICEF Somalia, underscored the profound impact of this national endeavor to eliminate polio. "This initiative is a lifeline for vaccinating children against polio," Farah expressed. She emphasized that such initiatives are pivotal in public health, aiming to wipe out the poliovirus and stymie its spread. The campaign kicked off in central and southern Somalia, with plans to gradually include the semiautonomous state of Northeastern State and the self-declared region of Somaliland.…