In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, an estimated 7.9 million people are in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The crisis response plan aims to support at least 4.4 million individuals across critical sectors, including health, nutrition, food security, protection, water, and sanitation.
Under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO), the health sector is re-strategizing to prioritize and reach underserved populations, especially those in hard-to-reach areas. This effort, backed by funding from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), focuses on reviewing the 2023 response activities, enhancing data collection, building partner capacity, and ensuring accountability to affected populations.
Borno State’s Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Baba Gana, emphasized the critical role of the health sector in achieving Universal Health Coverage. He expressed optimism that the WHO will continue to coordinate efforts to enhance access to healthcare services.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Nigeria Country Representative, highlighted that this initiative aligns with WHO’s Fourth Country Corporation Strategy (CCSIV) and the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan. The goal is to support the Federal Government’s objectives outlined in the Nigeria Health Act (2014) and the Nigeria Health Sector Improvement Initiative (2023-2026).
“Everyone deserves access to health services, and the WHO is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind,” said Dr. Mulombo. He noted that the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) encompasses 13 health sector priorities, championed by the Federal Government with WHO’s support, to ensure that vulnerable populations receive basic healthcare services.
The Director of Research, Planning, and Statistics at the Yobe State Ministry of Health, Dr. Musa Sarki, and the Director of Public Health in Adamawa State, Dr. Isaac Kadala, praised WHO for its leadership and relentless coordination efforts amidst global challenges.
According to the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), 5.3 million people in the BAY states require healthcare support, with the health sector targeting 3.7 million, including 800,000 women and 2.2 million children. Dr. Pekezou Tchoffo Aurelien, Health Sector Coordinator for the Humanitarian Response, emphasized the need to prioritize support and leverage lessons from 2023 to sustain essential health services.
Dr. Pekezou also called for urgent humanitarian donor support, stating, “At least $90 million is needed in 2024 to reach the targeted populations with healthcare services. This urgent call aims to ensure that underserved populations, especially children, access basic healthcare as a fundamental human right.”
The collaborative efforts of WHO and its partners aim to rebuild and strengthen the health sector in Nigeria’s BAY states, ensuring a coordinated and effective response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
