By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – Ahead of the World Polio Day celebration, the group, Kaduna State Polio Survivors Association, on Saturday organized a novelty match, tagged: Para-soccer match with various groups of poliomyelitis victims in the state to raise more awareness to the general public.
State Chairman of the Association, Comrade Rilwanu Abdullahi, explained that the para-soccer game is aimed to educate the general public on the importance of presenting children for vaccination to save them against the spread of the virus.
He also revealed that the association is at the forefront of taking the campaigns to rural and urban areas in the state; adding that the group has contributed immensely in drawing attention of the public to avail their children for vaccination against poliomyelitis, a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus.
According to Comrade Abdullahi, the condition, commonly known as ‘polio’ with symptoms similar to influenza and they include: fever, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the back, neck, arms or legs muscle weakness.
He note that polio has in the past caused problems for many children who became crippled.
Abdullaihi who is also the National President of the group, ‘Beyond the Border of Disability in Nigeria’ emphasized that contrary to popular beliefs, polio does not always cause paralysis, he said some people with poliovirus do not have any symptoms.
“However, in severe cases, the virus can cause nerve injury. When there is a nerve injury, it can lead to paralysis and even death,” he added.
Comrade Abdullahi called on traditional and religious leaders to support the campaign on the fight against poliomyelitis across the country.
It would be recalled that in1988, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to eradicate polio around the world. Under this resolution, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the CDC spearheaded the initiative.
The World Polio Day celebration is marked on 24th October, annually.