The Ministry of Health and Social Services is hosting a Polio Response Evaluation and Report Writing Meeting which will take place over the course of the next five days.
Healthcare officials in attendance are expected to produce a review report through facilitated group writing aimed at providing the next steps to improve immunisation surveillance nationwide.
During the meeting, healthcare officials will share regional experiences, challenges, best practices and lessons learned during the vaccination campaign.
Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Suzan Ndjaleka, emphasised that despite remarkable progress being made towards the eradication of polio, the virus continues to circulate in various countries on the African continent, a reminder that the fight is not yet over.
"Today's meeting is not simply about celebrating our successes; it is also an important opportunity for honest reflection, learning, and continuous improvement. A meaningful evaluation requires openness, objectivity, and realism. We must be realistic and say things as they are so that we can identify the challenges we face and determine the best ways to overcome them."
Unicef Representative Sam Ocran said these engagements provide healthcare practitioners the opportunity to identify practical lessons that enable them to respond even better in the future, adding that immunisation remains one of the most effective investments in children's health.
“Vaccines save lives, but successful outbreak responses depend on much more. It requires strong surveillance, a skilled workforce, such as yourselves; reliable coaching; quality data; community trust; and strong partnership.”
Health Systems Advisor of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Juliet Nabyonga-Orem stated that this is an excellent step to reflect and ensure that proper documentation processes of the entire outbreak response are carried out.
“These campaigns that we have implemented matter not just for our community but for humanity. Each dose that was administered is bringing us closer to a polio-free future. We must now intensify surveillance and strengthen routine immunisation."