UNICEF Lauds Yobe Govt Over Cholera Prevention Measures

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has praised the Yobe State government for its proactive and effective measures in preventing a cholera outbreak.

It described the state’s preparedness and public health interventions as exemplary.

The commendation was made by the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Maiduguri, Mr Francis Butucci, during an advocacy visit to the acting secretary to the state government (SSG), Dr Mohammed Goje, at the Governor’s Office, Damaturu.

Butucci said despite the ongoing rainy season, a period often associated with increased cholera outbreaks, Yobe State had not recorded any confirmed cases of the disease, attributing the achievement to the government’s timely preventive interventions and sustained public health measures.

“This achievement may not be unconnected to the government’s timely preventive measures, coordinated surveillance, and sustained public health awareness campaigns, He said.

The UNICEF Chief also expressed appreciation to the state government for its swift implementation of UNICEF’s technical recommendations in many areas; over time, this has yielded positive results.   While acknowledging the progress recorded, Mr Butucci encouraged the government to sustain its efforts to expand birth registration services at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and to strengthen support for schools recently affected by windstorms across the state.

Responding, the Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its sustained partnership and invaluable technical support to the Yobe State Government in healthcare, education, nutrition, child protection, and social development.

He reassured the commitment of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration to deepening collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners in implementing people-centred policies and programmes that improve the quality of life of citizens.

Dr Goje particularly commended UNICEF for providing a state-of-the-art oxygen gas plant to the Yobe State healthcare system, describing the intervention as a major step towards strengthening the critical objective of saving lives in healthcare.

He noted that the facility has significantly complemented the government’s ongoing investments in the health sector and enhanced the capacity of health institutions to save lives across the state.