Doris Obinna

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated 853 motorcycles and other items to the Federal Government to strengthen disease surveillance across the country. The items will be distributed to the 36 states of the federation.
Making the donation to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole on Monday, the WHO Country Director, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, said surveillance was key in disease control and eradication.
Alemu said Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) play a major role in surveillance at the field level, through visits to communities and health facilities. They also facilitate timely investigation and response to outbreak of diseases, where they occur, he said.
The WHO chief said it was in recognition of their role in disease control in the rural communities that the world organisation, in partnership with donor partners, decided to provide the motorcycles to enhance surveillance system in Nigeria.
“You will agree with me that this group of professionals deserve to be provided with the most appropriate logistic to enhance their mobility across the country, including the remotest parts of Nigeria,” he said.
Alemu called on the DSNOs to use the motorcycles for the purpose they are intended and to ensure good maintenance.
In his remark, Prof. Adewole, who expressed his appreciation to the WHO Country Director for the gesture, said disease surveillance was quite critical to public health maintenance, adding that the donation signified that 2018 would be a good year for all Nigerians.
He said: “When we are able to detect and respond appropriately, we would be able to curtail the spread of diseases and maintain good health across the nation.”
He gave assurance that the DSNOs would use the 853 motorcycles in an appropriate manner and in a way that would help to detect the outbreak of diseases.
“What is important is for us to get to know when and where there is disease. When there is no prompt information, diseases spread; but with good notification we would be able to nip it in the bud. We will be able to send officers there; we will be able to investigate and make appropriate diagnosis and be able to respond. So, to me, it is an important step, a new year present from our International partners through WHO,” the minister added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello, represented by the FCT, Secretary, Health and Human Services, Bar. Amanda Pam, assured the WHO Country Director and the minister that the motorcycles allocated to the FCT would be distributed to the eight area councils for disease surveillance.
This, he said, would go a long way in checking diseases and bringing health care delivery to the door steps of every residence in FCT.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Clement Uwaifo, noted that the donation was to complement Federal Government efforts in improving the healthcare delivery system in country.