Abuja – World Well being Group (WHO) is stepping up help to the Nigerian authorities to supply emergency well being help following devastation brought on by extreme flooding that has to date affected greater than 610 000 individuals, broken key primary infrastructure and raised the dangers of meals insecurity and unfold of infectious illnesses.
The floods have displaced greater than 225 000 individuals, with 201 deaths reported in 15 of the nation’s 36 states and about 115 000 hectares of farmland inundated.
In Maiduguri, the capital of the nation’s north-eastern Borno state, greater than 230 000 individuals have been affected by floods after a serious dam collapsed following intense rainfall. The deluge has hampered entry to well being services, faculties and markets. Fourteen well being services have been flooded. Acute watery diarrhoea, malaria, different water-borne and infectious illnesses, in addition to malnutrition are a number of the main well being dangers within the wake of the extreme floods.
WHO has deployed 4 cell well being groups comprising 20 medical personnel with important medication and medical provides, to the affected areas in Maiduguri. The groups are offering therapy for minor illnesses, routine immunization, antenatal and postnatal providers in addition to psychological well being care and coordinating medical referrals to bigger hospitals. One other WHO workforce of fifty frontline volunteers has been deployed to hold out neighborhood lively case seek for water-borne and vaccine preventable illnesses in camps for the displaced.
To mitigate the chance of malnutrition and vector-borne illnesses, meals and non-food objects together with blankets and long-lasting insecticide handled nets, have been supplied by state well being authorities and companions, together with WHO, on the Asheikh Jarma settlement. A chilly retailer has been established at a neighborhood hospital to retailer and course of laboratory samples and for vaccine storage.
“The flooding in Nigeria poses a extreme public well being problem, necessitating a swift, agile and complete response,” says Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Consultant in Nigeria. “Shut collaboration between authorities and companions similar to WHO is important to such efforts.”
The Nigerian federal authorities, by the Nationwide Emergency Administration Company (NEMA), has mounted a multisectoral emergency response in collaboration with native well being authorities in affected states, in addition to WHO and different companions. The Ministry of Well being has additionally activated emergency response name centres.
In Jigawa, among the many worst-hit state, authorities have transformed public buildings and faculties into shelters for the displaced and distributed meals rations, blankets and mosquito nets. In the meantime, WHO has supplied Jigawa with round US$ 45 000 of important medication and medical provides, together with speedy diagnostic kits for malaria and anti-malarial treatment. The Group is within the technique of dispatching comparable donations to 2 different affected states, Bauchi and Kogi.
“We’re grateful to WHO for this key contribution to our efforts to forestall the outbreak of illnesses amongst flood victims at the moment dwelling in short-term camps,” says Dr Mohammed Kainuwa, the Commissioner of Well being for Jigawa. “Above all, these provides will assist us to guard displaced pregnant ladies and kids, who’re particularly susceptible.”
In line with Manzo Ezekiel, spokesperson for NEMA, the flooding, which has to date largely been confined to the north of the nation, may worsen within the coming weeks as flood waters circulate downwards to central and southern states.
“WHO will proceed to help the federal government because it strives to mitigate the influence of this ongoing well being disaster and save lives,” says Dr Malumbo.