LILONGWE, May 29 (Xinhua) — The Ministry of Health in Malawi announced on Wednesday that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has awarded the country with “special recognition” for successfully halting the transmission of wild poliovirus type 1.
According to a statement signed by Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo, the recognition was granted during this year’s World Health Assembly in Geneva. The award was presented to the Malawi government through Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.
Mndolo said the recognition is “a testament to the hard work and dedication of health workers at national, district and community levels, and all community members who tirelessly worked together to implement several preventive measures to eradicate this deadly virus in our country.”
The Malawi government initiated a series of mass polio vaccinations following the confirmation of one case of poliovirus type 1 in the capital, Lilongwe, in February 2022. According to Mndolo, no other cases of the disease have since been reported.
“As a country, we are proud to be among those that have sustained a polio-free status. This achievement is attributed to the effective and efficient public health measures that the country has implemented,” Mndolo said.