The Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in partnership with Unicef, is mobilizing for a vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis scheduled for March 28 to 30, 2024. A crucial initiative in the fight against this disease, which has still raged in certain regions of the country despite the efforts made.
During a recent meeting, the Deputy Minister of Health, Serge Emmanuel Holenn, spoke with the Unicef Steering Committee to discuss the actions carried out so far and the challenges ahead to definitively eradicate poliomyelitis in DRC. This collaboration demonstrates the commitment of the Congolese authorities and their partners to put an end to the transmission of this virus.
“The government’s commitment to polio eradication is palpable, whether at the central or local level, despite the obstacles encountered. With the support of partners, we are determined to eliminate this scourge,” underlined Steven Lauwerier, director of programs at Unicef.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Health reaffirmed the Congolese government’s desire to put an end to polio by the end of next year. A laudable ambition for a country faced with a significant number of cases of poliovirus variants in recent years.
According to a WHO report, more than 800 cases of poliovirus variants have been recorded in 15 provinces of the DRC between 2022 and 2023, representing more than half of the cases recorded in the African region. An alarming situation which underlines the importance of the upcoming vaccination campaign to protect the population, particularly children, against poliomyelitis.
Together, the Congolese authorities, UNICEF and other partners are committed to continuing their efforts to definitively eradicate this disease and guarantee a healthier future for all. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect public health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.