The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated drugs and medical consumables valued at N70 million to the Jigawa State Government.
The donation is part of WHO’s efforts to prevent disease outbreaks among flood victims living in temporary camps across the state.
Speaking at the occasion Dr Bello Inuwa, WHO Coordinator in Jigawa, said that the floods severely impacted 16 local government areas, displacing thousands of people. He explained that WHO’s support aims to bolster the state’s initiatives to prevent diseases in vulnerable communities.
Dr Inuwa also commended the Jigawa government for its ongoing efforts to enhance the healthcare system, including the creation and upgrading of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities, as well as the recruitment of health workers.
Responding to the donation, Dr Mohammed Kainuwa, Jigawa state Commissioner for Health, while expressing gratitude to WHO, noted that the media supplies would help alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
Dr Kainuwa also pointed out that approximately 110 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently housed in government institutions and are in dire need of clean water and sanitation to prevent further outbreaks of diseases such as gastroenteritis.
He urged WHO to intensify its surveillance of Mpox, cholera, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases to bridge gaps in routine immunisation and reduce the number of zero-dose children in the state.
The items donated by WHO include malaria rapid diagnostic test kits, Amoxicillin tablets, anti-malarial drugs, Mycoten cream, Zinc sulfate, and oral rehydration solutions (ORS), among other essential supplies.
The WHO's official mandate is to promote health and safety while helping the vulnerable worldwide. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards, collects data on global health issues, and serves as a forum for scientific or policy discussions related to health.
The impact of banditry has been devastating, with a staggering 1,087,875 individuals in rural communities displaced as of December 2022. Furthermore, between 2010 and May 2023, approximately 13,485 deaths have been attributed to banditry.
The menace of banditry has led to the closure and damage of health facilities in affected regions, jeopardizing access to medical services, creating a dire situation for patients who depend on these facilities for primary healthcare, maternal care, immunization, and emergency medical attention.
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