WHO reaches 2 million beneficiaries in Nigeria, commits to strengthening health systems
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Kazadi Walter, has said the organization has reached around 2 million people, which is about 54.4% of the targeted population, through 58 implementing partners.
These partners according to him are spread across 27 locations in Borno, 25 LGAs in Adamawa, and 17 LGAs in Yobe. In the three states, there are 60 LGAs and 411 wards where WHO is working to improve health services.
Dr. Walter, who disclosed this on Wednesdays during the 14th World Health Organization Joint Operational Review, emphasized that WHO is committed to improving access to quality health services in these areas, while also providing technical assistance and ensuring that standards are met.
He, further explained that WHO has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting states in responding to health emergencies. This includes providing essential medical countermeasures, logistical support, and deploying technical expertise.
Dr. Walter noted that WHO and other UN agencies have proactively mobilized human resources. They have deployed technical experts to affected states to augment health emergency response capacity, enhance situational analysis, and inform evidence-based decision-making.
He also highlighted the importance of localizing efforts, empowering local organizations, and building the resilience of health systems. He emphasized the need for continued funding and support to ensure the sustainability of these efforts.”
According to him, “We make a commitment to ensure funding is mobilized, to prepare NGOs to be ready by committing 25% starting from next year and we will put the suitable mechanisms to ensure those NGOs adhere to our standards.
“We ask the government to advocate for the Strengthening of the health information and surveillance system for the BAY States. Support the State and capacity building to produce outbreak bulletin and SitReps.
“Contribute to prompt declaration of outbreaks, facilitated resource mobilization, and reduced CFR and Capacity Building: Training of Number of 175 DSNOs & ADSNOs (71 Borno, 62 Adamawa, 42 Yobe) on priority diseases),” Walter said
He noted that has Improved case detection, reporting, prompt investigation with Refresher training for State, and LGA Rapid Response Team (RRT): 420 RRT members trained (172 Borno, 136 Adamawa, 112 Yobe) including enhanced the proportion of alerts/outbreaks investigated within 24-48 hours from 82% to 95%.
“WHO Conduct community-based active case search and sensitization on epidemic prone diseases, key household messaging on improved health seeking behaviour (BAY STATE)
“This JOR is heavy because of the transition and the persistent insecurity. Focusing in those states, means we can succeed elsewhere with the aims and objectives of the Joint Operational Review: (JOR) to review and enhance the humanitarian health emergency response, focusing on identifying lessons learned, challenges, and best practices.
“We will evaluate progress towards strengthening health system resilience and emergency preparedness, emphasizing local ownership and stewardship.
“Our goal is to improve health outcomes and service delivery by monitoring trends and assessing the status of health services. Overall, enhance the humanitarian health emergency response, strengthening health system resilience and preparedness.
“Emphasizing local ownership, improve health outcomes by assessing service delivery platforms and operational efficiency, and finally advance the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDN), fostering multisectoral approaches to challenges,” Walter said.
Other Specific Objectives include to conduct a situational analysis to understand the context and its impact on health service delivery and monitor progress and performance using agreed indicators to track improvements in health outcomes, he said