……Efforts to scale up vaccine storage capacity
By Omolara Akintoye (Health Correspondent)
A total of $2.3M worth of funds has been committed by the Government of Japan to scale up Oxygen Supply, Vaccine Storage Capacity and for strengthening health systems in Borno State, Nigeria.
Speaking at a virtual stakeholder event which was held to launch the project in Borno State, Mr. Shinozawa Takayuki – Chargé d’ Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria said the project will strengthen healthcare provision, build resilience of health systems in conflict-affected communities, and enable primary healthcare facilities to provide acceptable standards of medical care in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Takayuki, the Project tagged “Strengthening the health system in conflict affected and Hard to Reach Areas in Borno State“ said it will be funded by the Government of Japan, and the project will be implemented by UNOPS in close partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Borno State Government, North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Borno State Ministry of Health.
“Project is to Scale up Oxygen Supply and Vaccine Storage Capacity Launched in Borno State and will be implemented over a12-month period starting from 31 March 2021”, he said .
Speaking further, “The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 7.1M million people within 26 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno State, of which 24% are children and approximately 45% are women. Two new oxygen plants will be constructed and equipped within the premises of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri and Biu General Hospital. In addition, 23 primary health centres within Borno State will be equipped with solar refrigerators to scale up vaccine storage capacity, he said.
In his keynote speech, His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State commended the laudable initiative of the govt. of Japan adding that it will help in boosting the health care delivery in the state.
“I’m happy to know that the Government of Japan is providing another support through UNOPS to strengthen the healthcare system in Borno State. This is very important especially to our primary health care system because the insurgency has destroyed many health facilities. Most importantly, the issue of health service delivery and capacity building in the health sector are very key to the government and people of Borno State, and therefore the government of Borno State under my leadership will give the desired cooperation to the implementing partners” said Professor Zulum.
In her address, the Director and Representative of UNOPS Ghana Multi-Country Office (GMCO), Mrs. Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, pointed out that UNOPS is well positioned to support the infrastructure development of the North east.
“This is in line with its mandate and to drive an extensive oxygen response that increase the capacity of health facilities to meet the desperate need for oxygen therapy caused by COVID-19 to save the lives of children with severe pneumonia in Borno State, Nigeria.” she said.
“The project will complement North-East Development Commission’s ongoing drive to bolster the healthcare capacity in the region and efforts to combat the pandemic by ensuring that diagnostic facilities are adequately equipped to handle any future outbreaks of infectious diseases and other health facilities upgraded. said the Managing Director of North-East Development Commission Mr. Mohammed Goni Alkali
The project launch event was held virtually with key stakeholders joining remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
