
How African Surveillance Labs Can Ignite the Drive to Eradicate Polio
2025-07-08
Author: Siti
As the acting WHO regional director for Africa, my tenure has been a testament to resilience and unwavering resolve in our ongoing battle against polio. It's a fight marked by challenges, triumphs, and the need for adaptability in the face of this evolving threat.
We've witnessed incredible achievements through vaccination, yet complexities in today's global landscape continually throw obstacles in our path. Now is the moment to fortify our commitment to vaccinate every child, no matter their circumstances. Imagine the worldwide impact of eliminating polio!
Earlier this year, I embarked on a mission to Nigeria as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Nigeria remains a crucial front in this global struggle, accounting for a striking quarter of reported cases in the region—32 confirmed cases across ten states, particularly in the northern regions.
Our mission was both a wake-up call and a source of inspiration. It was sobering to see that despite notable progress, variant polioviruses still pose a significant risk, threatening to undo decades of hard work. Yet, it was uplifting to witness the courage and dedication of those fighting against polio daily, often in extremely challenging conditions.
Viruses originating in Nigeria have crossed borders into neighboring countries and the European Union, highlighting a crucial reality: polio anywhere remains a threat everywhere.
My visit underscored the immense challenges confronting us across the African continent. Conflicts and insecurity hinder access to those in desperate need of vaccines, while health systems are stretched thin, lacking the necessary resources for vital immunization services. Additionally, vaccine skepticism is rising in some communities, fueled by misinformation and distrust.
The Everyday Heroes of Polio Eradication
Yet, the narrative isn't all bleak. Our progress is bolstered by everyday heroes: vaccinators traversing long, dangerous paths to reach every child, community mobilizers counteracting falsehoods with compassion and facts, and resolute government leaders guiding our efforts with vision and integrity. These frontline warriors do more than just administer vaccines; they are laying the groundwork for trust and serving as bridges back to health.
Supported by innovative strategies from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we are adapting to emerging challenges. New plans aim to enhance outbreak responses across the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa—all currently facing outbreaks. We must acknowledge that viruses recognize no borders, thus our coordination efforts cannot either.
Over the decades, the quest to eradicate polio has garnered widespread support, propelling the region to significant milestones like the 2020 certification of being free from indigenous wild poliovirus and swift responses to the arising vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). This collective urgency showcases what can be achieved when countries and communities collaborate towards a common goal.
However, the landscape is shifting. Traditional funding sources are starting to withdraw, while new global health priorities emerge amid various crises. This transformation necessitates efficiency, stronger local ownership, and solidarity.
At the WHO African Region, we are proactively strengthening our outbreak responses and enhancing our surveillance capabilities. The recent termination of the polio outbreak in Madagascar illustrates the potential of robust local governance, effective monitoring, and community-led initiatives.
Investing in Surveillance for a Healthier Future
Sustained investment in surveillance systems is critical. Therefore, we are aiding the establishment and accreditation of new national laboratories across Africa. We're at a transformative juncture, empowered by a solid foundation, and the course to eradicating polio is clearly mapped out.
These laboratories will enhance our capacity to swiftly and accurately detect poliovirus and bolster Africa's overall response to emerging public health challenges. This is our vision: a dynamic public health framework that is community-driven and seamlessly integrated.
The stakes are too high for complacency. Every unvaccinated child represents a risk not just to their community, but to the entire globe. It's time for all of us to unite behind the dedicated workers on the ground. Countries must fortify their health systems, enhance surveillance, and develop adaptive strategies that address realities like conflict and misinformation.
As I hand over my responsibilities at the WHO African Region, my gratitude extends to the countless vaccinators, surveillance officers, community leaders, scientists, and partners who make this monumental task possible.
We are at a pivotal point, fortified by a strong foundation. The route to a polio-free world is now clear. We must tread this path with renewed vigor and unity. Now more than ever, Africa's voice and leadership in global health must be bold and forward-thinking.
This is our chance to ensure that the legacy of eradicating polio marks the conclusion of a disease and establishes a lasting foundation for public health worldwide.