UNICEF Provides Cholera Relief in Borno State Amid Outbreak
Representative of Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services Dr, Abubakar Hassan, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rownak Khan and other staff of the Fund during the presentation of Cholera kits to Borno state government in Maiduguri
By Dauda Iliya
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered 90 units of acute watery diarrhea kits and 50 cholera beds to Borno State, valued at 113.2 million naira, to help contain a cholera outbreak.
The state government declared the outbreak last week, reporting 17 confirmed cases across five local government areas, following recent flooding.
At a ceremony in Maiduguri, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rownak Khan, announced that the cholera kits are expected to benefit approximately 500,000 people throughout the state.
She highlighted that the Federal Government, with support from UNICEF and other partners, has already provided 300,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine, with an additional 600,000 doses planned for delivery.
“We are pleased to hand over these supplies, which will help address the current cholera outbreak,” Dr. Khan stated, noting that the donation includes 30 acute watery diarrhea kits and 50 cholera beds, valued at approximately $69,075, equivalent to N113, 284,213.60″ Khan stated.
Dr. Khan also mentioned that UNICEF has constructed emergency latrines in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and provided water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) kits in camps such as Bakasi, Dalori, Gubio, and Ashiekh Jarma to prevent further disease outbreaks.
Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malam Gana represented by the Special Adviser on Health, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their timely intervention.
He noted that the additional beds have increased the cholera treatment center’s capacity from 100 to 150 beds.
“What UNICEF has done today is critical for saving the lives of cholera patients and those with acute watery diarrhea,” Gana assured, emphasizing the importance of immediate and effective management for affected individuals.
The Commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to collaborating with partners to contain the spread of cholera in both the camps and surrounding communities.
