Health Minister lauds healthcare workers on leprosy elimination target, polio virus cleansing

ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Health Report)

The Minister of Health, Khaliru Alhassan (Dr) has expressed appreciation to health workers for their selfless service to the nation, indicating that their knowledge, training and expertise have continued to save lives and heal millions of Nigerians.

Khaliru Alhassan stated this on Saturday May 2, 2015 in a chat with journalists, adding that
due to their professional diligence, Nigeria has achieved the World Health Organization (WHO) Leprosy Elimination target of less than 1 case per 10,000 populations. He maintained that their commitment has resulted to Nigeria being certified guinea worm – free by the World Health Organization as well as achieving unprecedented progress in curtailing the Wild Polio Virus.

The Minister further disclosed that Nigeria has successfully ended its ninth month without any reported case of the disease, noting that if this is sustained until July 2015, the country will be removed from the list of polio endemic countries in accordance with WHO guidelines.

While recalling the bravery of health personnel on the frontline of providing medical care during the incident of the Ebola Virus Disease brought into the country in July 2014, the Minister remarked that it was their sacrifice and dedication that contributed in no small measure to ensuring that the virus was quickly contained and Nigeria certified Ebola – free on October 20, 2014 by the World Health Organization.

He commended the generousity of health workers who work long hours in difficult conditions; stating that they oftentimes put themselves at risk, in order to provide care. He described their dedication as the “noble spirit of duty, dedication and compassion which symbolises their conduct.

While thanking all workers in the health sector, he urged them not to relent in their efforts, saying they should always lay emphasis on effective teamwork for the benefit of Nigerians and for the progress of the nation.