Minister Urges Traditional Leaders To Tackle Polio Resurgence

Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has known as on conventional rulers to maintain their dedication to main well being care (PHC) and intensify efforts to eradicate polio.

The minister, who made the decision yesterday on the 2025 First Quarter Evaluate Assembly of the Northern Conventional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Main Well being Care Supply in Abuja, praised the NTLC’s 16-year uninterrupted contribution to public well being, describing it as a world mannequin of voluntary management.

Prof. Pate acknowledged the essential position of conventional rulers in advocating for immunisation, well being safety, and grassroots mobilisation, stating that “Your steadfast help continues to drive significant change in Nigeria’s well being sector.”

The minister highlighted the current detection of Circulating Variant Polio Virus Sort 2 (cVPV2) as a serious concern, noting gaps in immunisation compliance, staff supervision, and accountability.

He recalled that in 2009, Nigeria overcame related challenges regardless of useful resource constraints, expressing confidence that with robust management and group engagement, the nation may defeat polio as soon as once more.

“We’ve achieved it earlier than, and I consider we will do it once more,” he stated.To additional strengthen PHC, the minster said that the Federal Authorities has authorised a ₦1 trillion ($1.2 billion) performance-based financing initiative for state governments. This, alongside elevated funds allocations, demonstrates the administration’s dedication to enhancing healthcare entry nationwide, he defined.

The minister additionally pressured the necessity to counter well being misinformation, significantly on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Fb.

He urged conventional leaders to play an important position in selling factual well being info and dispelling conspiracy theories.