The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for increased political commitment from African and global leaders to intensify efforts in eradicating the polio virus. This appeal was made by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, in a statement commemorating World Polio Day 2024.
Dr. Moeti praised the collective determination of governments, healthcare workers, and communities across the continent, which has brought Africa closer to achieving the goal of eliminating all forms of polio, a virus that can cause paralysis and death within days.
“This year, our region has reached significant milestones, including the success of Madagascar, which has gone a full year without detecting circulating variant poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1),” Dr. Moeti stated. She also highlighted the closure of the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) outbreak in Southern Africa, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Malawi, Mozambique, and neighboring countries like Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
These achievements, she noted, showcase the power of collaboration and the resilience of African communities. Data from the region supports this progress, with a 96% reduction in cVDPV1 detections and a 65% drop in cVDPV2 detections between 2023 and 2024 (as of August 31).
However, Dr. Moeti emphasized that challenges remain, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel regions, where circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) continues to spread. Factors such as insecurity, limited healthcare access, and high population movement have contributed to 134 detections of the virus in 2024 alone, reported across countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and others.
She urged the continent to remain vigilant, strengthen surveillance systems, improve routine immunization coverage, and ensure that the polio infrastructure benefits other public health initiatives. “Progress is real, but setbacks can occur when we lose vigilance,” she warned.
Dr. Moeti called on governments, partners, and communities to renew their commitment to eradicating polio, honoring the dedication of frontline health workers. “Our success is not just for Africa, but for the world. With sustained momentum, strong leadership, and global solidarity, a polio-free future is within our reach,” she concluded.
