WHO and Gates Fighting Polio in Nigeria

As discussed in a previous post, the World Health Organization covered three main issues in the recent World Health Assembly meeting.

The fight against Polio, one of the top issues discussed, is centered on Nigeria right now. Ongoing polio eradication is a tough task because of the nature of the disease, but developed and developing nations alike have shown it possible to wipe out the crippling infection.

Bill Gates has dedicated enormous resources to stop polio in Nigeria and West Africa. Vision Africa founder Bishop Sunday Onuoha was invited to meet with Mr. Gates on this issue during his recent visit to the country. While they had conflicting schedules and could not meet, the ever growing focus on public health in Africa's largest country has led to some visionary efforts from courageous leaders.

Stay tuned to this space for more news about Vision Africa's public health efforts.

Nigeria at the World Health Assembly

Every year, the World Health Organization gathers some of the top minds in medicine and healthcare from around the globe to discuss the major public health issues of the day.

The 63rd World Health Assembly concluded recently and the venerable Nigeria Health Watch blog has a run down of the most important issues discussed.

Perhaps the most pressing health issue for Nigeria, eradicating malaria received priority mention when the Nigerian Minister of Health Addressed the assembly.

Nigeria's unprecedented anti-malaria campaign depends heavily upon the leadership of Vision Africa founder Bishop Sunday Onuoha and the Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association, and it is exciting to know that the efforts are being discussed among the World Health Assembly.