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April 10, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Nigeria Pays Price for Polio Errors"

Financial Times (www.ft.com) (04/09/02) P. 10; Wallis, William

Nigeria is experiencing a major problem with polio, largely due to mismanagement, according to donor agencies.  Several years ago, when the country was still under military rule, millions of dollars earmarked to purchase vaccines were allegedly diverted by the family of the then-dictator Sani Abacha.  Officials from donor agencies say that almost $18 million donated by the European Union to pay for a vaccination campaign this year has been diverted to a high-interest-bearing local account by a senior Nigerian official.  Donors are currently demanding that the Nigerian government account for the missing money.  The World Health Organization had hoped to wipe out polio by the end of 2002.  Nigeria, Pakistan, and India are believed to be reservoirs for the disease.

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