Opening Remarks by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti
Excellencies, partners, colleagues, and friends,
It is with immense pride and unwavering determination that I address you at this special event: “The Road to Zero: Ending Polio in the African Region.”
Our journey toward a polio-free Africa has been long, challenging, and marked by triumphs and setbacks.
The late Aidan O’Leary, our esteemed WHO polio director, once said that polio is “a very infuriating programme, because ZERO MEANS ZERO.”
We are here today, with that vision in mind, to reaffirm our commitment, celebrate our successes, and renew our resolve to finish the job—once and for all.
Let us celebrate our latest milestone: In May 2024, the transmission of wild poliovirus type 1, imported into Malawi and Mozambique, was halted.
Africa did what it does best—we united, mobilized, and responded with strength and determination using our well-known tools: robust surveillance, quality vaccination campaigns, and increased community engagement.
Thanks to our rapid and robust multi-country response, we successfully contained the outbreak. I am proud to announce that since August 2022, no new wild poliovirus type 1 cases have been detected in our region.
In this context, I would like to remember the great work of Dr Emeka Agbo, who passed away recently and was instrumental in the success of the outbreak response.
Our most significant milestone in my term as Regional Director came in 2020 when Africa was declared free from INDIGENOUS wild polio.
That moment is forever etched in our hearts. Even though we could only meet and dance virtually due to the challenges of COVID-19, our joy was immense. It was a victory that united us in spirit, reminding us of our strength and resilience.
For me, witnessing Africa rise not once but twice to stop the spread of wild polio, both indigenous and imported, is a collective source of pride. It fills me with immense pride and a profound sense of hope for our future.
The achievement was a testament to the tireless efforts of our governments, health workers, partners, and communities, who worked hand in hand to protect our children from this debilitating disease.
We are on the brink of definitely winning this fight.
Now, more than ever, we are closer to our next critical goal: end all ongoing outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus. But our work is not done.
The ongoing international spread of polio, most recently to Gaza, is a stark reminder that polio still constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The road to zero polio in Africa now requires focused action on variant poliovirus outbreaks. This battle continues, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, Sahel, and Eastern Africa, where we have seen persistent transmission of the variant poliovirus type 2.
Our work to end all forms of polio continues as we navigate a complex landscape of interconnected threats. Challenges such as insecurity, population displacement, and food insecurity—exacerbated by demographic pressures and climate change—are compounded by a cost-of-living crisis influenced by global events far beyond Africa.
I recognize that these factors often hinder our progress and go beyond the scope of immunization programmes and disease eradication efforts.
We won´t let this virus steal the future from our children. As I pass the baton, I urge the global health community to rally to finish the job.
The lessons learned and the infrastructure built during the polio eradication can serve as a foundation for addressing other health challenges. Ensuring that no child suffers from polio ever again is within our reach, but it requires collective resolve and action.
I encourage our Member States and partners to respond with speed and quality to polio outbreaks while strengthening long-term surveillance, essential immunization systems, and our laboratory network.
With determination, let us focus on reaching the zero dose, under-immunized children, and hard-to-reach areas.
Again, thank you to our health authorities, frontline workers, and communities. Your tireless efforts are historic.
You are Africa’s polio heroes - for a healthier, polio-free world.
Thank you very much.