By Tada Juthan L, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported the Borno state government to treat and manage cholera with 140 diagnostic kits and beds.
According to the Fund, the $69,075 (N113.3 million) kits and beds are to treat 500, 000 patients in the most affected local councils of Jere, Konduga, Mafa,M onguno, and the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
Presenting the life-saving kits on Wednesday in Maiduguri to the state government, the UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, disclosed: “Today, we’re presenting 30 acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) and 50 cholera beds to treat and manage cholera in the various hospitals in the state.”
She said the current cholera outbreak was declared by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana, on October 4, 2024.
Additionally, Khan noted that the state government and its technical and financial partners have rallied for an emergency response on the outbreak of cholera.
She continued: “This year over 450 suspected cases have been reported with 128 RDT positive,” while 17 cultures were positive for vibrio cholera in September.
Besides the life-saving kits and materials, she said other activities supported by the UN agency have contributed to the prevention and management of the disease.
On the targeted people against cholera, Khan said: “Over 105,600 people were reached with sanitation, hygiene promotion, and water supply to households and schools.
She said that the preventive measures are through risk communication, hygiene promotion, safe water supply, cholera vaccination, and the construction of emergency latrines and case management.
The health commissioner, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Abubakar Hassan, thanked UNICEF for responding to the outbreak of cholera.
He said that the donated cholera diagnostic kits and beds will be deployed to the various hospitals and the primary healthcare delivery centres.
Assuring that all the donated diagnostic kits and beds will be judiciously utilised in the eradication of cholera and other water-borne diseases in the state.”
