As the world commemorates World Polio Day, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and ROTARY, reaffirm their commitment to continue working with the Government of Ethiopia to ensure that Ethiopia stays polio free, to maintain the success achieved in certification of the WHO African Region as free of wild poliovirus, according to World Health Organization. Prior to 1996 when the “Kick Polio Out of Africa!” campaign commenced, wild poliovirus used to paralyze about 75,000 children annually in the African continent. In Ethiopia, the last indigenous wild poliovirus case was reported in 2001. World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, regarding, World Polio Day 2020, said that World Polio Day is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible milestone achieved this year, of kicking wild poliovirus out of Africa. In closing, on this very special World Polio Day, I once again congratulate and thank the Governments, communities, frontline health workers and polio survivors, who drove wild polio out of Africa.”

Source: Ethiopian News November 01, 2020 11:37 UTC