The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered cholera and malnutrition treatment kits to the Borno State Government to contain health problems caused by the Maiduguri flood disaster.
This was announced by WHO representative in the country, Walter Kazadi, during the presentation of the kits on Saturday in Maiduguri.
He said the measure would strengthen the state's ability to respond to emergencies.
Represented by Mary Brantuo, an official of the agency, Mr. Kazadi highlighted the need for collaboration among stakeholders to contain the health care challenges caused by the flood.
“As we gather here, it is essential to recognise that the recent floods have brought untold hardship to the people of Borno State.
“This disaster has not only displaced families, but has also increased the risk of deadly diseases such as cholera and worsened the nutritional status of children who were already vulnerable to malnutrition,” Kazadi said.
According to him, cholera kits will be essential to control and prevent outbreaks, while severe acute malnutrition (SAM) kits would help frontline health workers combat malnutrition among children.
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“Each cholera kit has the potential to treat up to 100 cholera patients, meaning the total number of kits provided today can treat up to 600 people suffering from the disease.
“The SAM kits will provide essential therapeutic supplies to treat children suffering from acute malnutrition. Each kit can treat 1,607 children with severe malnutrition, reaching 225,000 children in the affected areas,” he said.
Responding, Baba Malum-Gana, the state's Commissioner for Health, praised the UN agency for the timely intervention, adding that there was no confirmed case of cholera in the state so far.
Mr Malum-Gana said malaria remains the leading cause of health problems, adding that the provision of a rapid diagnostic kit for malaria would go a long way in stopping the disease.
(YAYA)