Borno Government Receives WHO Donations Of Medical And Nutrition Commodities
“These essential commodities include life-saving medicines, nutritional supplements, and medical supplies for treating and preventing malnutrition and common childhood illnesses,” Dr Fortin said.
To combat malnutrition, Malaria and other health challenges, the World Health Organisation (WHO), on Tuesday, donated Medical and Nutrition Commodities to the Borno State Government.
The aim of the donation, according to WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, is to reduce child mortality rates, combat malnutrition, and ensure children grow and thrive in a healthy environment.
Mulombo who was represented by Dr Ann Fortin, the WHE team lead, at the occasion held at the WHO medical centre in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital said the initiative is part of WHO’s CCSIV broader strategy to strengthen health systems and ensure equitable access to health services for all, regardless of location or socio-economic status.
According to her, “The current donation targets explicitly reaching over 484,740 vulnerable populations, especially those in security-compromised locations with limited access to healthcare services and over 3,200 children under 5 with SAM and medical complications under admission at the stabilization centres in Borno will be provided high-quality treatment services utilizing these SAM kits.
While handing over the essential medical and nutrition commodities to the state Commissioner of Health, Prof Baba Mallam Gana, Dr Fortin added: “This timely contribution is poised to mitigate the heightened morbidity associated with the lean season, thereby reducing maternal and child mortality rates across the state.
Dr Fortin recalled that in 2023, WHO supported the state government in reaching over 1.6 million vulnerable populations, including children 0 -59 months, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and adolescent girls with critical interventions, including Malaria treatment services, multiple micronutrient supplementation for pregnant mothers, Vitamin A and Deworming for children and Deworming across Hard-to-reach locations.
The Borno State Commissioner of Health, Prof Gana commended WHO for its continued support and added that the state government is prioritising the healthcare sector hence the 15 % budgetary allocation to the sector.
“The Prof Babagana Zulum-led administration in Borno State is passionate about the healthcare sector, we have 15% budgetary allocation to the healthcare sector in 2024 and we’re making remarkable improvements,” Prof Gana said.
