The World Health Organisation (WHO) has supplied cholera and malnutrition treatment kits to the Borno State Government in response to health challenges stemming from recent flooding in Maiduguri.
The presentation took place on Saturday, led by WHO Country Representative Walter Kazadi.
Kazadi emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to effectively address the healthcare crises exacerbated by the floods.”This disaster has not only displaced families but also heightened the risk of cholera and worsened malnutrition among vulnerable children,” he stated.
The cholera kits are designed to control and prevent outbreaks, with each kit capable of treating up to 100 patients. “Today’s delivery can potentially treat 600 individuals suffering from cholera,” Kazadi explained.
Meanwhile, the Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) kits will equip frontline health workers to tackle child malnutrition, with each kit able to treat 1,607 severely malnourished children—impacting up to 225,000 affected children overall.
Baba Malum-Gana, the state Commissioner for Health, praised WHO for their timely intervention, noting that, so far, no confirmed cholera cases have emerged in the state.
He acknowledged that malaria remains a pressing health concern, advocating for the provision of rapid diagnostic kits to combat the disease effectively.
This partnership aims to bolster the state’s capacity to respond to emergencies and safeguard public health in the wake of natural disasters.
