UNICEF supports Borno with N304.3m clinic for healthcare delivery
By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported the Borno State government with a $179,000 (N304.3 million) new clinic for healthcare delivery services.
According to the UN health agency, the established health facility was to improve communities’ access to medical care for the vulnerable population.
While handing over the facility to government, over the weekend (Friday), in Maiduguri, the UNICEF Chief of Borno Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, disclosed; “The 2024 Humanitarian Needs Overview estimated that; 25 percent of health facilities in the Northeast have been destroyed or non-functioning following 14-year conflict.
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Nguyen noted that the situation informed UNICEF to embark on intervention in the health sector, by building and equipping a new clinic at the populated Hajj Transit Camp in the Maiduguri metropolis.
She added that site of the clinic, was once a IDPs camp, accommodating over 20, 000 repentant Boko Haram insurgents and their families.
According to her; “Since 2022, the Hajj Transit Camp along Maiduguri-Damaturu road has been overcrowded and at some point, accommodated over 22,000 individuals.”
She explained that the health facility with medical equipment and drugs, was built to provide healthcare to vulnerable people in communities.
Besides, she added that the health project was funded by the German Development Bank (BMZ and KFW).
While receiving the donated facility, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo said the facility will also provide Medicare to thousands of surrendered Boko Haran kept in the camp.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tijjani Bukar lauded UNICEF’s efforts for the intervention..
He, therefore, assured of the government’s continuous collaboration with the UN health agency.
