Borno Set To Eradicate Polio, Guinea Worm, Others

Borno State government has said that several infectious diseases such as polio, guinea worm, maternal and neonatal tetanus are at the verge of elimination in the state.

The commissioner for health and human services, Professor Baba Malam Gana, stated this yesterday at an event to commemorate this year’s World Health Day with the theme: “My Health My Right “, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Maiduguri.

Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Babagana Kadai, the commissioner confirmed that maternal mortality ratio and mortality of children under five have also reduced.

“The number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths decreased across the state, and the number of Tuberculosis (TB) deaths also decreased. In addition, several diseases are on the verge of eradication and elimination, including polio, guinea worm as well as maternal and neonatal tetanus “, Gana said.

He emphasised that the state government has recorded significant progress in ensuring better health outcomes for the people who have suffered more than 10 years of insurgency.

“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 “, he added.

WHO state coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, said the organisation and other partners have been providing technical and financial support to the Borno State government to rehabilitate health facilities, provision of drugs and commodities including routine immunisation.

He assured to sustain support to enable Borno State achieve universal health coverage and for the people to have access to affordable services.

“Disparities in the coverage of key reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health interventions remain significant, with the rural dweller, the poor and those in hard-to-reach areas being the most disadvantaged,” Salisu stressed.

The executive secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Professor Mohammed Arab called on partners to work together with the government to strengthen the health system especially at the primary healthcare level.