Several countries in Africa are grappling with new outbreaks of polio, despite making progress against the crippling disease in the past.
African nations are working together to support childhood immunization and the response to the polio outbreak. A forum in Dakar, Senegal, on December 10 brought together African heads of state to address alarming declines in immunization rates and a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
The forum took place a day after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a $10 million donation to help fight polio and tetanus in various African countries, among other areas of the world.
Elder Alfred Kyungu, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, attended the forum on behalf of the Church.
A Church gift of $5 million went to UNICEF in support of efforts to eliminate tetanus. Maternal and neonatal tetanus is a major public health problem in areas of Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Southeast Asia.
The other $5 million went to Rotary International to fight polio. This portion of the Church grant will help African countries make up progress lost to COVID-19 in countries like Malawi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria.
At the Senegal forum, leaders talked together about how best to invest in innovation, commit to implementing the lessons learned over the years, and work together to prioritize the eradication of polio and other childhood diseases, reported the Chamber of Church Africa Press.
Delegates from many countries in Africa attend a forum to address polio and childhood diseases in Dakar, Senegal, on December 10, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Dancers perform cultural dances for delegates at an all-Africa forum to address polio in Dakar, Senegal, on December 10, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The President of the Economic Community of West African States and President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, thanked all the partners who are making possible the eradication of polio in Africa.
“However, we still face logistical constraints in transporting vaccines and maintaining their efficiency. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, philanthropies and civil society organizations – I believe that together we can eradicate polio in Africa,” he said.
The leaders spoke about how children, who are the future of Africa, need good health. Senegalese President and African Union Chairman Macky Sall also called on heads of state, workers, civil society and other partners to work together.
“We need to save the lives of our children, and especially our women, who are the most vulnerable. Our systems are fragile, therefore as partners we must mobilize on all fronts to confront this threat,” she said.
Africa CDC Acting Director Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouna said a new public health order in Africa and help from global partners means “Africa can invest in innovation, commit to implementing the lessons learned over the years and work together to prioritize efforts. towards the eradication of the deadly disease.”
On the day of the donation, Elder Kyungu expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Church to those who work to help children and families in Africa.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cares deeply about the impact polio has on children,” Elder Kyungu said.
Elder Alfred Kyungu, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Africa West Area presidency, stands with Dr. Ahmadou Samateh at a forum to address polio in Africa in Dakar, Senegal, on December 10, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
