Nigeria’s former minister of finance, Ngozi Okojo-Iweala is marking Thanksgiving with a reflection of how rapid urbanisation can expose a society to new challenges of insufficient housing, poor sanitation, diseases and poverty.
Dr Okonjo Iweala who sits on the Boards of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the African Risk Capacity (ARC) shared photos of her recent trip to Kibera, Africa’s largest urban slum, in Nairobi, Kenya; and wrote:
This #Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on my recent visit to Kibera – Africa’s largest urban slum. I was humbled to observe the grit and resilience of people living in the informal settlement, the majority of whom migrate from rural areas in search of jobs and a better life.
This kind of rapid urbanisation brings serious challenges: inadequate housing, overcrowding, poor sanitation, and grinding poverty. It also exacerbates a number of health issues such as the pressing need for immunisation strategies geared to urban populations.
I applaud the dedication and commitment of health workers like Joy – a young woman who is continuing her mother’s legacy by supporting the delivery of immunisation and other essential health services to Kibera residents.
A crucial step in meeting the immunisation needs of the urban poor is to use data to uncover obstacles to vaccine access. This will help to map the reality on the ground and clearly identify inequities, knowing where our efforts are best spent brings us closer to ensuring that everyone – no matter where they live – is healthy and thriving.
