Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) announced that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated 1.5 million dosages of cholera vaccine to Bauchi State during the kick-off of the vaccination exercise in the state. He stated that the WHO donated 1.5 million dosages of vaccine to support the state’s response to cholera outbreaks.
He said, “Bauchi is among the 18 states with a high risk of cholera outbreak, hence the donation to be [administered] to those at the prone areas. Some wards in Dass and Toro LGA that were prone would also receive the vaccine.” He also noted that the vaccine would be divided into two phases in the local government areas.
Mohammed continued by thanking the WHO for its continued support to the agency through the government in addressing health challenges such as the ongoing cholera outbreak.
During the commencement of the vaccination exercise, the WHO representative, Alhaji Goni Ngala, said the outbreak was affecting people of different age groups including children under the age of five.
“In its continued efforts to support the cholera response and in particular, the management of cases, the World Health Organisation Country Office donated the vaccine to support prevention,” he said.
Alhaji Nura Jumba, the District Head of Bauchi, emphasised the importance of implementing measures to solve the water, sanitation and hygiene challenges in the affected areas.
Jumba urged the government to be committed to improving garbage collection and desludging of latrines. “Provision of clean water free of charge to the affected communities including community education and mobilisation will be helpful,” he said.
