Federal Government and WHO launch disease outbreak emergency response initiative
Written by Joey Shekwonuzhibo on May 23, 2023
The Federal Government in partnership with the World Health Organization, WHO, has flagged off a three-pillar approach that would prepare for, detect and respond to emergencies during outbreak of diseases.
Flagging off the programme in Yobe State, the Chief Consultant, Epidemiology at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, revealed that the initiative is aimed at improving readiness and coordination at all levels.
Yobe, a state recovering from Boko Haram insurgency, is faced with both human and natural disasters.
The Commissioner for Health in Yobe State, Lawan Gana, welcomed the initiative, explaining that despite the efforts put in place, the state is still facing inadequate skilled human resources and limited logistics.
The initiative, launched across the six geopolitical zones of the country, is expected to develop the capacity of public health workers to respond swiftly and timely to all emergencies.
In a related development, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, has flagged off the distribution of presidential palliatives to victims of the 2022 flood in Akwa Ibom State.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana, handed over relief materials to the National Emergency Management Agency for onward distribution to the victims yesterday, Monday 22nd May 2023, in Uyo, the state capital.
He expressed concern that the Niger Delta region was worse hit by the flood because of its topography and location.
Still in the country’s Southern region, the Senator, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ubah, has presented no fewer than 14 vehicles, 40 motorcycles, over 100 walkie-talkies and other security gadgets to vigilance groups and neighbourhood security watch in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Ubah says the gesture was part of efforts aimed at equipping and fortifying the local security operatives and empowering them in the fight against the rising insecurity in Nnewi and its environs.
This is coming barely six months after the senator’s convoy was attacked by gunmen at the Enugwu -Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, which led to the deaths of some of his security aides.
