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The Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire, under the leadership of its 8th President, Rotarian Dr. Pat Ifeanyi Oramah, has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating polio in Africa, placing the cause at the top of its Four-Point Agenda for the 2025–2026 Rotary year. This renewed drive comes ahead of the District 9127, Zones 1 and 2 Polio Seminar scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, in Abuja, which will bring together Club Presidents, Club Polio Chairs, District Officers, Rotarians, and guests for a strategic review of the path to a polio-free Africa.

Speaking ahead of the seminar, Dr. Oramah emphasized that while Africa has made significant progress in the fight against polio, complete eradication requires sustained and coordinated action. He noted that Rotary International, along with global partners, has been instrumental in bringing polio to the brink of elimination but warned that the risk of resurgence remains if momentum is lost.

“Our work is far from over,” Dr. Oramah said. “Polio eradication demands unwavering commitment, not only from Rotary but from governments, communities, and international partners. Every child, regardless of where they live, must have access to safe and effective vaccines. This is not negotiable.”

Outlining his vision, Dr. Oramah stressed the critical role of widespread immunization through routine childhood vaccination, mass door-to-door campaigns, and catch-up programs in hard-to-reach areas. He underscored the importance of robust surveillance systems, including monitoring cases of acute flaccid paralysis and environmental testing of wastewater to detect any silent circulation of the virus.

Public education, he noted, remains a powerful tool in countering misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. “We must dispel myths and promote facts using every channel possible—from community influencers to school-based programs—so that vaccination is embraced, not feared,” he said.

In tackling the challenge of reaching inaccessible areas, Dr. Oramah pointed to the need for mobile vaccination teams, partnerships with humanitarian agencies, and the negotiation of safe humanitarian corridors in conflict-affected zones. He also called for stronger health systems that maintain vaccine cold chains, train health workers effectively, and integrate polio vaccination with other health services to maximize community participation.

The recently inaugurated Rotary leader further highlighted the need to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure to prevent virus transmission and urged political leaders to show stronger commitment through funding, legislation, and cross-border cooperation.

While polio eradication stands as his top priority, Dr. Oramah affirmed that the Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire will also drive other major health and social impact initiatives in the 2025–2026 year, including hepatitis awareness and prevention, combating diabetes through early detection and awareness, and empowering persons living with disabilities.

“With determination, partnership, and sustained action, we can consign polio to the history books,” he concluded. “That is the legacy we seek to leave for the next generation.”

The upcoming Polio Seminar in Abuja is expected to serve as a rallying point for renewed strategy, resource mobilization, and collaborative efforts, reinforcing Rotary’s historic pledge to end polio once and for all.

StreetReporters.ng

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