WHO To Assist Borno Govt As Flood Damages Health Facilities, Laboratories
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has promised to work with the Borno State Government to assess damages caused to healthcare facilities and laboratories by the flood and provide support for their rehabilitation.
WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo stated this on Thursday, during an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Borno State.
TheFact Daily recalls that Borno State had been flooded following collapse of one of the spillways of Alau Dam earlier in the week.
The flood had cut off 14 health facilities and affected some laboratories, leaving many communities without access to healthcare services.
Dr. Mulombo who lamented the devastating impact of the flood pledged the organization’s support to the state government.
He also commended the state government for showing leadership and responding quickly to the situation, adding that there was a coordinated response to the crisis.
On his part, the State Commissioner for health, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana, noted that the flooding had never happened at this scale in Borno State, adding that the Alau Dam, which provides water to Borno State, had problems, and about 70 per cent of Maiduguri has been submerged underwater.
Gana informed that the flood cut off many healthcare facilities and personnel, and that the state was collaborating with partners to address the situation.
The immediate need, according to Gana, was to provide shelter and food to displaced people, provide healthcare services, and later find out why the dam broke down. He commended the UN system for coordinating the response and assured that the government was working to bring succour to the displaced persons.
WHO’s support will focus on providing healthcare services, including vaccinations, to the affected communities. The organisation will also work with the state government to assess the damage to healthcare facilities and laboratories and provide support for their rehabilitation.
