The World Health Organisation, WHO, has donated 1.5 million doses of Cholera vaccines to Bauchi State.
This was confirmed by Rilwanu Mohammed, executive chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), at the kick-off of the vaccination exercise in Bauchi.
Mohammed explained that WHO donated the vaccine doses to support the response to the cholera outbreak in the state.
He said, “Bauchi is among the 18 states with a high risk of cholera outbreak, hence the donation to be [administered] to those at the prone areas. Some wards in Dass and Toro LGA that were prone would also receive the vaccine.”
According to him, the vaccine doses would be divided into two phases in the LGAs. He thanked the WHO for its continued support to the agency in addressing health challenges.
What WHO is saying
Goni Ngala, the WHO representative, explained that the outbreak was affecting people of different age groups including children under the age of five.
He said, “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.”
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.
Jumba urged the government to be committed to improving garbage collection and desludging of latrines.
He said, “Provision of clean water free of charge to the affected communities including community education and mobilisation will be helpful.”
What you should know
Bauchi is one of the worst-hit states and has recorded more than 2,870 cases since the outbreak of the disease in May. At least, 42 people have lost their lives to the disease.
