Polio is an infectious, disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause temporary or permanent paralysis and loss of control or feeling in most part of most of the body.
Polio is a dangerous infectious disease especially to a growing child. Many years ago, when there was no vaccine to cure polio, people or children were living at it mercy. And it has caused countless of disabilities around the world.
Indeed, in many countries of the world because of the danger posed by Polio, emergency was declared to control the spread of the disease. In most of the developed worlds polio has been eradicated or brought under control.
Millions of dollars are spent to fight polio infection in the world every year by various nations and governments. Today, there is an aggressive campaign in the world to fight polio. And it is yielding positive result.
African continent is worst hit. But today the fight against polio eradication is gaining ground as there is aggressive campaign and orientation about the effect of polio on children. And to a large extent in Nigeria, the effort of government in fighting polio is on a positive note. And that is why Nigerians must support the government, irrespective of their religious beliefs, to fight Polio presence in the country.
Polio has caused sorrows and miseries to many families in Nigeria, especially in the North. Most of the adults today in Nigeria, their cases of paralysis are traceable to polio. And that is why no reasonable Nigerian should hinder or become obstacle to polio vaccine immunization exercise. It is true that deformed person sometimes does not feel comfortable in the presence of a sound person. And that is why people must be educated to jettison unprovoked attacks and killings of immunization workers.
It is also inconceivable that some Nigerians will become a clog in the wheel of fighting polio in Nigeria. Indeed, the killing of immunization workers or health workers on their lawful and humanitarian service to humanity has become a yearly ritual.
In the first week of February, immunization exercise was declared through out the country. The purpose of the immunization was to give vaccines to children between zero (0) age to five years. Of a truth, there was massive publicity of the immunization exercise. And Nigerians who have children of the targeted age bracket were ready to participate by allowing their children to take the vaccines.
Of truth, it is shocking to hear that the immunization workers giving the vaccines to children were attacked and killed. What is happening in Nigeria? The exercise was to stop future deformity of Nigerian child and some people had the gut to kill the innocent people on duty to their father land. The killing of nine health workers in Kano State, who were giving vaccines, does not have any moral and religious support so far as service to God and humanity is concerned. The killing is barbaric.
People should not hide under the guise of religious beliefs to kill their fellow human beings. The Nefarious activities of some Nigerians against immunization exercise in Nigeria should be investigated to stop a repeat. The slain health workers are gone forever while their killers are still living and thinking the next evil to do. It is obvious that the killing of immunization ad-hoc workers or health officers is on the increase. And same thing must be done to stop the ugly trend.
Since Polio is a dangerous disease, it is advisable that all should fight it out in Nigeria. The United Nations Children’s Fund: a department of the United Nations whose aim is improving children’s health and education, particularly in poor countries will not be happy with the killings.
Some children who are deformed are denied access to education; even when they are zealous to go schools. Some thing urgent must be done to stop the game of killing health workers when they are on immunization exercise in the country. When people are threatened or killed just for embarking on immunization, exercise what signal is it telling the whole world? It is time to say no to killing of immunization workers in Nigeria.
Polio has caused serious health and physical damage to children who will in turn become leaders of tomorrow. We need to fight for a deformed free society caused by polio. When children are deformed or disfigured, their chances of becoming great public leaders are limited. Therefore, let Nigerians rise up and say no to senseless killings of health workers in the country. Enough is enough! If polio must be eradicated, the killing must be stopped forthwith. Help the various governments and agencies to say no to polio in Nigeria. ###
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu
08028901682
