Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim, the Minister of Public Health and Prevention, officially inaugurated a crucial polio vaccination campaign this Thursday at the Atrone health center in N’Djamena’s 7th arrondissement. This initiative, scheduled from June 5 to 7, 2026, integrates polio immunization with Vitamin A supplementation and albendazole deworming.
Amina Kodjienna, the government’s general delegate for the N’Djamena province, highlighted that this supplementary operation is designed to bolster ongoing efforts aimed at safeguarding children. She strongly urged household heads to welcome the health teams into their homes to ensure all eligible children receive their vaccinations.
A representative from Rotary Club International underscored his organization’s unwavering commitment to the global fight against polio. He appealed to parents to collaborate closely with health technicians to intensify the battle against this debilitating disease.
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Luciano Calestini, UNICEF’s representative in Chad, described polio as a devastating illness, emphasizing that a massive collective mobilization is essential for its eradication. He called upon all stakeholders to demonstrate greater dedication in confronting this challenge, reassuring that partners remain steadfast in their support for Chad to ensure the well-being and development of its children.
Minister Abderahim reiterated that this vital public health intervention, spanning all 23 provinces of Chad from June 5 to 7, 2026, marks a decisive step in the continuous endeavors to shield Chadian children from vaccine-preventable diseases and enhance their nutritional status.
Dr. Abderahim proudly announced that Chad has not recorded any case of wild poliovirus since June 14, 2012, and was officially certified as free of indigenous wild polio by the WHO Regional Certification Commission for Africa in 2016.
However, despite these commendable achievements, the Minister cautioned that the ongoing circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus variants continues to pose a significant health threat to children, necessitating constant vigilance and reinforced collective action.
Dr. Abderahim detailed the ambitious targets: 6,418,757 children aged 0 to 59 months are slated to receive the polio vaccine. Additionally, over 4.6 million children aged 6 to 59 months will benefit from Vitamin A supplementation, while more than 4.2 million children aged 9 to 59 months across the nation’s twenty-three provinces are targeted for albendazole deworming.
The Minister of Public Health and Prevention underscored the profound significance behind these figures, noting that they represent countless children, families, and indeed, the very future of the Nation. He affirmed that each child vaccinated signifies a triumph over disease.
He further elaborated that every child receiving Vitamin A supplementation gains an additional opportunity to grow up healthy, and each child dewormed takes another step towards improved physical and intellectual development.
Dr. Abderahim articulated the government’s ambition to achieve at least 95% coverage among targeted children in every health district. This goal aims to consolidate the progress made in the first round and definitively halt the circulation of vaccine-derived poliovirus across the entire country.
He acknowledged the successes of the campaign conducted last May and commended the exceptional quality of work performed by the field teams, supervisors, local authorities, and communities.
The Minister emphasized that the campaign’s success hinges on everyone’s commitment, stressing that the health of children is not solely the responsibility of health personnel but a collective obligation involving families, communities, local authorities, partners, and all citizens.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Chad, the head of the Public Health and Prevention department extended profound gratitude to the technical and financial partners, including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, Rotary International, and Nutrition International, as well as all those who tirelessly support the country’s efforts to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Minister also conveyed sincere thanks to the health workers, supervisors, vaccinators, social mobilizers, volunteers, and community actors whose dedication is crucial for the campaign’s successful execution.