[afro-nets] Nigeria: Polio, Politics and Power Play (2)

[Akinmade Aderemilekun <chiefngo@yahoo.com>]

Nigeria: Polio, Politics and Power Play (2)
-------------------------------------------

Dear Colleague,

I quite agree with you on the issues you raised that are mili-
tating against polio elimination or eradication in Nigeria.

The truth of the matter is, we still take the people for
granted, we do not study different communities enough, to know
about the diverse socio-cultural and religious practices that
exist, in order to plan polio eradication around their beliefs
and level of education or awareness. There should be community
involvement e.g. different community, religious, political lead-
ers at the grassroots, local, state and federal level.

Promoting literacy or formal education will also be an advan-
tage. We should even commend the people, once radio jingles on
polio or immunization starts, they bring their children out
without much questioning. In developed countries, the people
want to know the advantages and the disadvantages of such immu-
nization. I mean when the education level increases the populace
will know the benefits of polio immunization.

We need to understand the way of life of our people then we can
begin to plan with them. I still believe the federal ministry of
health is still distant from other levels of care. Even if other
levels of care are autonomous there should be a meeting point
for unified health decision and policy. Where decision are made
at the top level and forced down the throat of other levels of
health care, should seriously be looked into. Background infor-
mation or studies, you will agree is vital to any health plan-
ning.

Best regards,

Remi Akinmade
Executive Director CHIEF
mailto:chiefngo@yahoo.com