The World Health Organization’s Country Director, Dr. Walter Kazadi Molumbo, convened a meeting with the Katsina State Government, led by Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, to discuss strategies for advancing healthcare initiatives, bolstering immunization efforts, and addressing the ongoing diptheria outbreaks. This was a significant development for healthcare in Katsina.
Dr. Molumbo stressed the value of cooperation between the incoming administration and the international health organization at the meeting held yesterday at the state government house. This would allow investments and resources to be coordinated with the government’s priorities and manifesto.
In light of the ongoing diphtheria outbreak, Molumbo emphasized the urgent need to increase routine immunization efforts, pointing out that the outbreak serves as a clear indicator of immunity difficulties throughout the population, particularly among children. He also emphasized the significance of reviving primary healthcare and expanding initiatives past standard vaccines.
“The recent diphtheria outbreaks highlight the vulnerabilities in our community’s health,” said Dr. Molumbo. To ensure the health of our children and the general public, we must revive routine immunization in primary healthcare.
The WHO Country Director applauded the coordinated efforts of numerous groups in containing the outbreak. The difficulty of vaccine-derived polio, he pointed out, persists despite the progress made in halting the spread of the wild polio virus. Regarding Katsina’s contribution to overcoming these health threats, Molumbo voiced optimism.
Dr. Molumbo noted that “the cooperation between Katsina and neighboring Zamfara is crucial in stemming the spread of these viruses.” The work of Katsina is crucial in stopping the spread of these diseases.
Dr. Molumbo emphasized the crucial part that local authorities, traditional leaders, and organizations play in the struggle against health issues.
In order to ensure that a bigger section of the public is protected against the virus, he also urged the state administration to step up COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Dr. Molumbo concluded by thanking the Katsina government for its cooperation and commitment to achieve universal health care and reiterating WHO support for these objectives.
While stressing the crucial importance of primary healthcare during the visit, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), also emphasized the significant role investing in primary healthcare plays in enhancing the future well-being of communities and promoting economic growth.
In addressing the difficulties the state was facing, Dr. Shuaib made clear that while laudable advancements had been made under the direction of Governor Radda, urgent action was still required to solve resource shortages.
In order to eradicate these dangers, Dr. Shuaib emphasized the importance of cooperation and synergy in the fight against these diseases that can be prevented via vaccination.
“This problem is not limited to Katsina State; it affects the entire country. The accomplishment of primary healthcare metrics is hampered by the lack of human resources at the primary healthcare level, according to Dr. Shuaib.
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