WHO, five states strengthen health system, emergencies response in Northeast
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and five states have strengthened their health systems with emergency responses in the Northeast.
According to the organisation, the health sector in the region has faced severe challenges, including the destruction of infrastructure and displacement of population with increased risk of disease outbreaks.
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, disclosed this yesterday (Wednesday), in Maiduguri, at the 14th Joint Operational Review on the protracted grade 3 complex humanitarian crisis in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
He said that the review of the healthcare delivery system was to improve health outcomes in the conflict- and flood-affected states, including Benue and Plateau states in the North Central.
“Since 2016, the humanitarian crisis in Northeast, driven by the Boko Haram insurgency, has caused immense suffering and disruption,” he said.
Additionally, he noted that the health sector has faced severe challenges, including the destruction of infrastructure, displacement of populations, and increased risk of disease outbreaks.
Despite these adversities, Mulombo stated that the collective efforts of the global health agency and the states have provided critical health services, thereby demonstrating their resilience and dedication.
On challenges in the health sector, he said: “Let me acknowledge the recent flood devastation in Maiduguri, Jere, Mafa, and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).”
He lamented that it has compounded the existing challenges in the health sector, including the displacement of about one million residents, mostly women and children.
Highlight the significant milestones in the health sector. Mulombo said, “There were remarkable emergency medical care and vaccination campaigns,” noting that they have also strengthened the health systems and emergency responses of the five states.
According to him, the five states emphasised the importance of learning from these experiences to enhance their response strategies.
In enhancing the competencies of health workers, Mulombo said: “We’ve implemented a comprehensive capacity-building initiative in the thematic areas, including IMCI, GBV, nutrition, case management, and IPC, among others.
Besides the capacity-building initiatives, he said the global health agency continues to sustain presence in the field by providing technical assistance and quality assurance to ensure adherence to established standards and guidelines.
He continued: “WHO demonstrated a robust commitment to supporting the five states in responding to health emergencies,” as well as providing essential medical countermeasures, logistical support, and the deployment of technical expertise.
The country representative added that the deployment of expertise to the affected states was to augment health emergency response capacity, enhance their situational analysis, and inform evidence-based decision-making.
Speaking on the beneficiaries of healthcare in the region, he said: “About two million people were reached by 58 implementing partners in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
While reiterating the healthcare delivery, he stated that 54.4% of the population in the three states were reached with improved access to quality health services.
Additionally, he said efforts are being made in engaging in the localisation to ensure local organisations and communities are empowered to build the resilience of the health system.
On funding healthcare services, he urged the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure funding is mobilised to prepare them to commit 25% starting next year.
Assuring that “WHO is to put in a suitable mechanism that will ensure NGOs adhere to the global standards.”
He said that the training of 420 refreshers in the states will enhance the proportion of alerts/outbreaks investigated within 24-48 hours from 82% to 95%.
