Providing Essential Healthcare Services to Underserved Communities in Nigeria
Recently, Fatima Alhaji Mohammed and her team of health workers from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrived in Garmiri Village, Magumeri Local Government Area, Borno State. Their mission was to deliver essential healthcare services to communities that are often overlooked.
During their visit, they encountered a man pleading for help for his wife, who had been in labor for over a day. Without hesitation, Fatima rushed to their home to assess the situation. She quickly realized that the woman needed urgent assistance and took it upon herself to deliver the baby on the spot. Thanks to the WHO team’s presence, the newborn received crucial vaccinations immediately after birth, ensuring a safe start to life.
Supporting Hard-to-Reach Communities
With support from partners like the European Commission (ECHO), WHO has been able to provide essential health services to hard-to-reach and insecure communities in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Benue States for over a decade. Through the deployment of mobile health teams, WHO has been able to reach communities that are more than seven kilometers away from the nearest healthcare facility.
These mobile health teams, comprised of doctors, nurses/midwives, and community health workers, have been a lifeline for communities with limited access to healthcare. They provide services such as antenatal care, routine immunizations, and basic medical care, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations receive the care they need.
Prioritizing Safe Motherhood and Child Health
WHO actively supports governmental efforts to prioritize safe motherhood and ensure a healthy start for all newborns in Nigeria. Through initiatives like mobile health teams, WHO has been able to deliver vital antenatal care and safe deliveries, strengthen health facilities, and train local healthcare workers to improve health service delivery in communities.
Dr. Kumshida Balami, the WHO Nigeria Acting Emergency Manager, emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring every mother has a safe childbirth and every child receives the healthiest possible start to life. In 2024 alone, WHO’s interventions reached over 1,092,649 individuals in the BAY States, particularly children and mothers residing in IDP camps and remote areas.
From strengthening laboratory facilities to training health workers and conducting immunization campaigns, WHO’s efforts in Nigeria are focused on addressing key health challenges and improving the overall well-being of the population.
By championing safe mother and child healthcare delivery, WHO continues to make a significant impact on the health outcomes of communities in Nigeria. Through collaborative efforts with government partners and local stakeholders, WHO is working towards a brighter and healthier future for all Nigerians.
This article was distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.
