By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bauchi State government has received 1.5 million doses of vaccines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight a cholera outbreak in the state.
This was disclosed by Mr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman, State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), at the kick-off of the vaccination exercise in Bauchi on Saturday.
Mr Mohammed said the WHO donated the 1.5 million doses of vaccine to support the state’s response to the cholera outbreak.
“Bauchi is among the 18 states with a high risk of a cholera outbreak, hence the donation to be vaccinated to those at the prone areas,” he said.
He noted that some wards in Dass and Toro Local Government Areas that were prone would also receive the vaccine, noting that the 1.5 million doses of the vaccine would be divided into two phases in the local government areas.
He thanked the global health body for its continued support to the agency through the government in addressing health challenges such as the ongoing cholera outbreak.
On his part, the WHO representative, Mr Goni Ngala, said the outbreak was affecting people of different age groups including children under the age of five.
“In its continued efforts to support the cholera response and in particular, the management of cases, the World Health Organisation Country Office donated the vaccine to support prevention,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Nura Jumba, the District Head of Bauchi, emphasised the importance of implementing measures to solve the water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in the affected areas.
Mr Jumba urged the government to be committed to improving garbage collection and desludging of latrines.
“Provision of clean water free of charge to the affected communities including community education and mobilisation will be helpful,” he said.
Aduragbemi Omiyale