Independent Monitoring Board - Global Polio Eradication Initiative

AT A GLANCEZamfara & SokotoThe neighbouring states of Zamfara and Sokoto have predominately agriculturaleconomies. They have had nine cases of polio so far in 2012. By this time last yearthey had had only one.For Zamfara, the IMB was shown a detailed table to describe the challenges, andactions taken to address each. This was the only Nigerian sanctuary for which linksbetween challenges and actions were clearly set out. Each challenge had a credibleset of actions associated with it.In Zamfara, strong alignmentof actions instigated withchallenges facedIn Sokoto, the Programme lists a number of major challenges. Inadequate politicalcommitment was highlighted, particularly evidenced by the fact that only eight ofthe 23 Local Government Area chairmen participated in the most recent vaccinationcampaign. Refusals are a concern, particularly in the more metropolitan LocalGovernment Areas, and this is driven in part by anti-OPV rhetoric from religious andacademic leaders.Politicians in Sokoto must bestronger in their support of andleadership for the Programmeif they are to turn back antivaccineinfluencesUnfortunately it is not clear how the proposed solutions in Sokoto will be differentfrom anything that has been done before, although each sounds sensible. TheProgramme plans further advocacy and sensitization. We were just told that ‘effortsare being made’ to enhance accountability.National analysisLike the leaders of the Global and National Programme, the IMB was shocked at theevents of 2011, where a seemingly promising programme fell into disarray. Sincethen, a great deal of time has been spent trying to recapture the momentum of2010. But the impressive leaders of the Nigerian Programme have not reached fullmastery of the strategies required to put the Programme back on course. Nigeria isnow the only country in the world to have all three types of polio virus – type 1, type3, and circulating vaccine-derived type 2 virus. The continued transmission of poliohere poses a real threat to its neighbours. This mastery is needed fast.What new and extraordinarymeasures can now be taken?Nigeria’s impressive leadersmust regain mastery of the artof polio eradicationWe very much welcome the National Emergency Action Plan. We welcome thesurge of partner staff that will support its implementation, although managing thislarge number of staff is a challenge that needs further attention. We particularlywelcome the fact that the President has inaugurated a national task force, and thateach state has a task force led be a Deputy Governor. The new National EmergencyAction Plan will need to be built on, but is a real opportunity for Nigeria. Through itsthorough implementation, the IMB urges Nigeria to demonstrate that skepticismabout its programme is ill-founded.The National EmergencyAction Plan is solid. Paper mustbe translated to performanceIt would be wrong for the IMB to conceal its continuing concern about the poorprogrammatic performance in Nigeria. But we draw confidence from the experienceof 2010, when the Programme made exhaustive efforts to uncover the reasons whychildren were being missed and to implement solutions. The Programme must recoverits ability to do the basics thoroughly. At the heart of the eradication drive is a focus onfinding missed children – something it was doing well in 2010.Nigeria is a great source ofconcern. But there is hope. TheProgramme must reproducethe much praised performanceof 201036Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Every Missed Child