Meningitis outbreak: WHO donates medical consumables to Yobe

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has handed over assorted medical consumables to the Yobe State Government to further contain the outbreak of the diseases that killed over 20 vulnerable persons.

Handing over the items at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, on behalf of Dr. Kumshida Yakubu Balami, the WHO Interim Northeast Emergency Manager, Pharmacist Katugwa Emmanuel, said the items will not only provide care for the healthcare workers but patients as well as their relatives.

“As you are aware, Yobe State is bedevilled with multiple outbreaks of diseases from last year to the beginning of this year.  We started responding fully to the diphtheria outbreak and by the grace of God, we were containing it but suddenly, we had this cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak which started in February 2024,” he said.

He said they were seeing a different trend of meningitis that is type ‘C’ in their routine immunisation vaccine, which they give children under two years.

“Hopefully, we expect that our healthcare workers, patients and their relatives will all be protected so as to contain the outbreaks to its barest minimum,” he said.

While appreciating WHO, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawan Gana, explained that the consumables would strengthen the healthcare system in the state.