Somalia declares Polio Free for the 3rd Consecutive Year

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo praised efforts by the Ministry of Health and partners, UNICEF and WHO to eradicate polio from Somalia, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking at the National Polio-Free Anniversary, the president said Somalia has remained free of polio the last three years.

“This news is cause for praise and celebration in Somalia, because Just 3 years ago, we recorded the highest number of new polio cases in the world…now, it's down to zero, thanks to the efforts of the ministry of health and partners,” said President Farmajo.

The reason for this is stepped up preventative measures. The President said the Federal Government would continue with such preventive actions.

“Two drops of vaccine is all it takes to protect against polio……just two drops, I call on all our mothers and parents to make sure that health officials and paramedics are welcomed..and allow our children to be vaccinated against polio," he added.

The ministry of Health has a regular immunization campaign for children under the age of five, efforts that have already shown remarkable results in the fight against polio.

President Farmajo assured that the immunization campaign would be expanded to ensure that polio never returns to Somalia again.

GAROWEONLINE