UNICEF Commends Yobe’s Cholera Prevention Efforts

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Yobe State Government for its proactive efforts in preventing a cholera outbreak, describing the state’s public health preparedness and preventive measures as commendable.

The UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Maiduguri, Mr. Francis Butucci, gave the commendation during an advocacy visit to the Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mohammed Goje, at the Governor’s Office in Damaturu.

According to a statement from the Media Coordinator and Liaison Office of the SSG, Ibrahim Baba Saleh, Mr. Butucci noted that despite the ongoing rainy season, which often increases the risk of cholera outbreaks, Yobe State has not recorded any confirmed case of the disease attributing the development to the government’s timely preventive interventions, coordinated disease surveillance, and sustained public health awareness campaigns.

He also acknowledged the state’s commitment to implementing UNICEF’s technical recommendations, noting that the collaboration has continued to strengthen public health interventions.

While commending the progress made, Mr. Butucci encouraged the government to sustain its efforts by expanding birth registration services at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and supporting schools recently affected by windstorms across the state.

Responding, the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje, thanked UNICEF for its continued partnership and technical support to the Yobe State Government in the areas of healthcare, education, nutrition, child protection, and social development.

He reaffirmed Governor Mai Mala Buni’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners in implementing programmes that improve the well-being of the people.

Dr. Goje particularly appreciated UNICEF for supporting the establishment of a state-of-the-art oxygen gas plant in Yobe, describing it as a significant contribution to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the capacity of health facilities to provide life-saving services across the state.