Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
August 4, 2023.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), have renovated, equipped and handed over diphtheria isolation centre to the Yobe State government.
According to the Organisation and Committee, diphtheria has killed over 26 children from over 200 suspected cases last month in the State.
The isolation centre is funded by the United States Agency for International Agency for Development (USAID) and the Government of Germany.
While handing over the isolation centre, yesterday (Friday), in Potiskum, the WHO Northeast Emergency Manager, Beatrice Muraguri, disclosed: “Any time there is an outbreak of diphtheria, we come together in a coordinated manner towards abetting its spread in the State.”
She said the centre sited at the Specialists Hospital, Potiskum, was to curb and manage diphtheria cases among other diseases like cholera, meningitis and measles that claim many children’s lives.
Besides, she noted that the handed over heath facility, would overcome the challenges of overcrowding at the isolation centre.
“WHO, UNICEF and other development partners; are working with the Yobe State government to ensure that residents are healthy and free of any disease outbreaks in communities.”
Continued; “In view of this, we came to assess this facility that has the capacity to manage the disease and realised this kind of support was required by the State government.”
While thanking WHO and other health partners, the Executive Secretary, State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Babagana Machina, noted that one of the challenges of healthcare delivery; was the paucity of space to accommodate patients.
His words: “The UN health agency came in and assessed the existing structure on ground for possible support.
“We needed all sorts of support we could get to improve our response effort and case management.
“The isolation centre can now accommodate more patients, because our existing centre has been over-stretched.”
End.
