The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), with funding support from the United States, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public health emergency preparedness and response systems in Adamawa.
Dr Abe Egbe, Public Health Emergency Specialist at UNICEF, Abuja, said this on Tuesday June 23 in Yola during a Risk Assessment and Emergency Response Plan meeting. According to him, the exercise was designed to support Adamawa in developing a framework for identifying and managing recurring hazards, including floods, cholera, meningitis and diphtheria outbreaks affecting communities.
Present at the meeting, Mr Anwar Abubakar, of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said the exercise would identify, describe and prioritise hazards capable of triggering emergencies.
The state commissioner for health and human capital development, Mr Mohammed Chubado, represented by Mr Zira Babanani, while appreciating all supporting partners, said recommendations from the exercise would strengthen evidence-based decision-making and enhance health security across the state.
On his part, Mr Kadabiyu Jones, the State Epidemiologist, said the document would provide a clearer understanding of risks facing the state and guide authorities in implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
It is believed that if successfully implemented, the recommendations from the meeting will improve the state government’s ability to effectively anticipate, mitigate, response to, and manage emerging public health risks and emergencies.
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