The World Health Organisation (WHO) has delivered an array of medical supplies to the Yobe State Government in response to the outbreak of diseases that have tragically claimed the lives of more than 20 vulnerable individuals.
Presenting the supplies at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu on behalf of Dr. Kumshida Yakubu Balami, WHO’s Interim Northeast Emergency Manager, Pharmacist Katugwa Emmanuel stressed that these resources would serve not only to support healthcare workers but also to provide essential care for patients and their families.
“Yobe State has been grappling with multiple disease outbreaks since last year, extending into the beginning of this year. We initially focused on containing the diphtheria outbreak, and by the grace of God, we made progress. However, we were then faced with an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in February 2024,” he explained.
Emmanuel highlighted a concerning development regarding a new strain of meningitis, type ‘C,’ which has been detected in routine immunisation vaccines administered to children under two years old. He expressed hope that the supplies provided would play a crucial role in safeguarding the health of healthcare workers, patients, and their families, thereby significantly reducing the impact of the ongoing outbreaks.
Expressing gratitude to WHO, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawan Gana, underscored the importance of these medical consumables in strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
