Adamawa is Polio-free state – WHO

Tom Garba, Yola

The Adamawa Coordinator of World Health Organisation, Dr. Nuhu Ningi, has confirmed that the State is free of Polio virus.

Ningi gave the confirmation in a statement signed by Abubakar Muhammed, Director, Information and Public Affairs, Adamawa State Ministry of Health.

He said that it was not an unknown fact that Adamawa has been one of the three states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and its two neighbour states that recorded polio outbreaks recently.

He added that Cameroun Republic, having a wide border with the state also suffered recent polio outbreak.

Ningi confirmed that in spite of the challenges, the State did not record any case of wild polio virus since 2009, making it more than 16 years without the disease in the state.

He berated a purported statement recently credited the North eastern coordinator of WHO, in the person of Dr. Khalid, who was quoted saying that the absence of Polio in Adamawa state is a “mere chance”.

“It is very unfortunate to describe all efforts of government and partners fighting against polio in the state as “mere chance occurrence.

“This statement by the zonal coordinator is unfortunate and absurdly lack scientific base” Dr. Ningi said.

He lauded the state for been able to keep optimal activities to guard against virus reinfection in the state.