In a proactive effort to combat the ongoing cholera outbreak in Borno State, the Rotary Club of Maiduguri, District 9127, has donated a significant consignment of essential medical supplies and drugs to the Borno State Ministry of Health.
A statement issued and signed by the President of the Rotary Club of Maiduguri, District 9127, Rotarian Abdulkareem Haruna, on Monday and made available to journalists in Maiduguri, said the donation, valued at over N1 million, was presented at the State Secretariat by a delegation led by the Club President.
The initiative underscores the Rotary Club’s core mission of humanitarian service, as the organisation seeks to support government efforts in addressing the cholera outbreak, which has claimed dozens of lives and affected thousands of residents across the state.
Speaking during the presentation, former Commissioner for Health and Permanent Secretary at the Borno State Ministry of Environment, Rotarian Dr. Juliana Bitrus, who also serves as the Club’s Foundation Chair and Head of the Health Committee, said the donated medical consumables include:
30 cartons of Ringer’s Lactate, 2 cartons of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), 1.5 cartons of giving sets, 6 boxes of cannulas of various sizes, 1 carton of hand sanitiser, 2 rolls of surgical spirit, 5 packets of Neogloves, 4 rolls of cotton wool and one customised cholera bed
Receiving the items, the Borno State Commissioner for Health, Professor Baba Malam Gana, commended the Rotary Club for taking the lead among non-governmental organisations in providing critical support to the state’s cholera response efforts.
“This is a wonderful gesture that the government and the ministry highly commend and appreciate,” the Commissioner said.
He noted that the donated supplies form part of the critical medical drugs and consumables required at various Cholera Treatment Centres across the state.
“The items donated are among the essential medical supplies needed at our Cholera Treatment Centres to save lives,” he added.
Speaking on future collaboration, Professor Gana called for sustained partnership with the Rotary Club, particularly in the areas of vaccination and public health education.
“You have supported us before, and we are grateful. While appreciating this intervention, we are also seeking further support. We would like Rotary Club members to participate in the cholera vaccination campaign, which will commence shortly, as well as public enlightenment efforts on preventive measures such as handwashing and hygiene education in schools and communities,” he said.
The Commissioner disclosed that adults between the ages of 21 and 51 account for the highest number of cholera cases recorded during the current outbreak. He added that the state government is implementing a comprehensive strategy aimed at decentralising treatment centres and intensifying public awareness campaigns.
“We will count on the Rotary Club to help ensure that eligible residents are adequately informed and vaccinated,” Professor Gana stated.
He further confirmed that the donated items would be deployed immediately to treatment facilities.
“These items will be transferred immediately to our vehicles and taken to the cholera control centres at Njimtilo and the MSF facility in Ngarannam, where they will be put to immediate use,” he said.
In his remarks, the President of the Rotary Club of Maiduguri, District 9127, Rotarian Abdulkareem Haruna, reaffirmed the club’s commitment to supporting government efforts to safeguard public health.
He said the donation forms part of the club’s broader and ongoing intervention aimed at helping Borno State effectively respond to health emergencies and improve the well-being of its citizens.
