Awka, 10 November, 2022 – The World Well being Group (WHO) has donated emergency medical provides to the federal government and other people of Anambra State in response to the flood catastrophe that has severely affected over 600,000 individuals in seven native authorities areas (LGAs).
In Nigeria, 35 states have been devastated by the flooding in 2022 and Anambra state, situated within the Southeast area is without doubt one of the worse-hit areas.
As a part of WHO’s emergency response to Anambra state, the group supported the state authorities to arrange well being clinics and different emergency companies to urgently confront the well being penalties of the catastrophe.
The WHO State Coordinator (SC) , Dr Adamu Abdulnasir mentioned in the course of the handing-over of the medical consumables in Anambra that WHO is working with the State Ministry of Well being (SMOH), to supply medical companies and strengthen illness surveillance throughout six (6) affected LGAs to make sure well timed intervention to any illness outbreak.
With the affected communities dealing with the chance of ailments outbreaks and different well being emergencies related to floods, the WHO donated objects embrace – antimalarial grownup tablets/dispersible/injections, Fast Diagnostic Take a look at Kits (RDT) kits for malaria, assorted antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, anti-diabetics, analgesics, sanitary pads, syringes, intravenous units, cartoons of noodles, buckets with faucets for hand washing and intravenous fluids, chlorine for water therapy, disinfectants in addition to well being useful resource manuals and therapy pointers
Dr Abdulnasir mentioned the donations will guarantee efficient responses to the acute healthcare wants of individuals within the affected communities.
“The flood poses an elevated danger for infectious illness outbreaks, together with cholera, malaria, and typhoid fever. The Fast Diagnostic Take a look at Kits donated by WHO to the state will guarantee speedy detection and response to such outbreaks.
Many homes and well being services are submerged and taking a heavy toll on the psychological and psychological well being of the individuals. At the least 675,953 individuals in 622 settlements throughout seven LGAs are affected, and 41,000 individuals are sheltered in 14 internally displaced individuals (IDPs) camps, inside the state,” he mentioned.
Receiving the donated objects, the spouse of Anambra state Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, accompanied by the Commissioner for Well being, Dr Afam Obidike recommended WHO for the well timed donations and technical help to the state in response to the flooding.
Dr Soludo mentioned WHO has all the time been a dependable associate and supporter in tough occasions and the emergency medical provides in addition to important medication shall be put to make use of instantly to alleviate the sufferings of individuals in numerous IDP camps dotted throughout the affected LGAs.
Healthcare entry
The medical provides, kits and supplies donated by WHO have been used to arrange well being clinics within the IDPs camps due to the disruption of routine well being companies.
Moreover, the donated cholera RDT kits are a part of the emergency preparedness response to intending cholera outbreak within the aftermath of the flood. WHO can be supporting the SMOH to enhance the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), scenario within the IDP camps, and has activated illness surveillance and early warning system to strengthen response capacities for epidemic-prone ailments throughout your complete state.
Moreover, WHO has constructed capability of focal individuals and volunteers on surveillance, early illness case detection and reporting.
Excessive-level advocacy
Underscoring the gravity of the scenario within the state, a high-level United Nations mission led by the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, and officers from the WHO, United Nations Worldwide Kids Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM) accompanied by different high state authorities officers together with the Secretary to State Authorities, Professor Chukwudobelu, lately visited the affected communities and IDPs camps.
The go to by the RC was to undertake a first-hand evaluation of the scenario and focus on the response with authorities, companions and different stakeholders.
“The harm and losses are staggering to see and worst in a decade!”, mentioned Mr Schmale.
Flooding has develop into a perennial environmental danger and problem for individuals in Anambra State, particularly these residing in coastal areas alongside the course of river Niger, from Anambra West within the north to Ogbaru within the South.
Technical Contact:
Dr Igboekwu Chukwumuanya; E-mail: igboekwuc [at] who.int
Dr Adamu Abdulnasir; E-mail: adamuab [at] who.int