Rotary Club Rwanda, in collaboration with partners such as the Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), is urging parents to prioritize vaccinating their children against polio and maintaining proper hygiene practices. Despite Rwanda being polio-free for over 30 years, experts warn against complacency, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance to protect children from this life-threatening disease.
Uwimana Marie, who lives in Kigali in the Kicukiro district said “Polio is a disease that affects limbs, causing one to become larger or swollen while the other remains smaller or thinner. To protect children from polio, timely vaccination is crucial.”
Her comrade, who lives at Gikondo says “Polio is a severe disease, and the best way to prevent it in your child is by following medical advice and ensuring they receive all the recommended vaccines”
Dr. Muderevu Alexis, the head of the Polio Eradication Commission at Rotary Club Rwanda, explained the groups most vulnerable to polio and how the disease spreads.
“The disease is often linked to unhygienic conditions and primarily affects children aged one to five years. Kids tend to touch various objects and put them in their mouths at this age. If someone infected defecates in open spaces, rain can spread the contamination, making the disease more widespread. Prevention involves maintaining hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and adhering to the vaccination schedule as advised by healthcare providers. Parents are strongly encouraged not to skip any vaccines.”
Polio was last reported in Rwanda in 1993. However, preventive measures remain in place as the disease has not been eradicated globally. For a country to be declared polio-free, it must go at least three consecutive years without any new cases being reported.
Globally, polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In many African countries, including Rwanda, the disease has been eradicated, but some regions still experience occasional cases, delaying confirmation of complete eradication.