Borno deputy governor, Kadafur commends WHO, partners on seasonal malarial chemoprevention

By Apex News Exclusive On Jul 12, 2020 0

Borno deputy governor, Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur

By Dauda R. Pam, Maiduguri

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur has commended the World Health Organization,(WHO) and its partners for implementing health care policies and carrying out campaigns across the state.

Alhaji Kadafur who is also doubles as the Chairman, Borno State High-Powered Response Committee on Prevention and Control of COVID-19, made the commendation during the flag-off of the Seasonal Malarial Chemoprevention (SMC) for 2020 WHO immunization campaign in the state Saturday.

He appealed to parents and guardians to avail their children the opportunity to be administered with the anti malaria drugs, which he said will help in reducing and preventing effects of malaria among children in the society.

Similarly, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai ibn Elkanemi at a symbolic demonstration in the flag-off in his palace, urged WHO to carry out the SMC campaign to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps and host communities in the state, where he described the children of the IDPs as most vulnerable.

Earlier, WHO Borno State Coordinator, Dr. Audu Musa Idowu, who led the team to the Shehu’s palace said the reason to be at the palace was to seek the monarch’s fatherly blessing.”

The Director, Primary Health Care (PHC), MMC, Borno State, Shettima Abdulaziz, solicited for the blessing of the royal father for free and fair implementation of the programme across the MMC and state at large.
The National Consultant, Malaria Emergencies ,WHO, Dr. Iniabasi Nglas said in an interview that the campaign was to cover 25 accessible local government areas out of the 27 due to security challenges noting that when the secuirty situation Improves, helicopters would be used to reach out to the two local governments of Abadam and Marte.
According to her, WHO was implementing the anti malaria drugs adminstration because this is the peak of the malaria season from July to October.
The National Team Leader, Prevention of Malaria, National Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr. Aisha Bintu Gubio, also told newsmen that the campaign will be implemented in nine states within the Sahel region.