Borno govt, WHO strike new deal on public health

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Borno State Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have struck a new deal on prevention and management of public health diseases in the state. 

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Baba Malam Gana, while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Health Day in Maiduguri, said the collaboration between the government and WHO was to improve delivery of quality health to all people in the state.

“We will continue to work with you all to strengthen health governance and combat discrimination and inequalities in health; we will continue to collaborate across sectors on bold situations toward the universal coverage of high-quality healthcare for everyone,” said Gana, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai.

He expressed hope over elimination of infectious diseases and other public health concerns, including polio, guinea worm, maternal and neonatal tetanus, in near future due to the current reduction in the number of cases.

“The number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths decreased across the state. The number of TB deaths also decreased. Several diseases are on the verge of eradication and elimination,” he said.

WHO State Coordinator, Ibrahim Salisu, said the organisation and other partners have been providing technical and financial support to the state for the rehabilitation of health facilities, provision of drugs and consumables for routine Immunisation.

He assured the global body’s determination to sustain all the support and intervention to the state to help it achieve universal health coverage and quality health services to its people.

He said: “Disparities in the coverage of key reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health interventions remain significant.”