By Wolimoh Abdulmateen
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged civil society and non-governmental organisations to intensify efforts in reproductive health and other critical interventions to safeguard children’s well-being.
Dr Yusuf Abdulhakeem, WHO State Coordinator, made the call on Wednesday in Yola during the flag-off of a distribution exercise of drugs and medical supplies to Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State, led by Lifesaving Grassroots Outreach. He said the interventions were crucial for reducing the risk of cholera outbreaks and other communicable diseases in the region.
Represented at the event by Dr Visa Tyakong, WHO Surveillance Officer, Abdulhakeem explained that the Integrated Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Outbreak Response Programme for conflict-affected populations was both timely and necessary in protecting lives.
“The availability of essential drugs and consumables being flagged off today will directly enhance the quality of care and strengthen outbreak preparedness,” he said. Abdulhakeem added that WHO would continue to provide technical support to ensure health interventions in Adamawa align with national and global standards.
Mr James Tizhe, Programme Manager of Lifesaving Grassroots Outreach, said Madagali was chosen for the intervention due to its proximity to the Sambisa Forest in Borno State, an area heavily affected by insurgency.
He outlined the organisation’s objectives in Adamawa State, which include improving the quality of life in underserved communities, strengthening local health systems, and building capacity for essential services such as disease prevention, reproductive health, and maternal care. “Our mobile health teams are ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to critical healthcare services,” he added.
Tizhe noted that three health facilities were selected for the distribution of the drugs, which would be closely monitored by the organisation’s staff to ensure proper administration. He disclosed that the supplies provided were expected to last for six months.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Director of Public Health, Mr Nuhu Yahaya, commended the organisation for the intervention, saying it would help tackle pressing health challenges in the state. He reiterated that “health is wealth” and emphasised the ministry’s role in ensuring the well-being of residents.
WHO has remained a key technical partner in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen health systems, particularly in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, as well as outbreak preparedness.
In August 2025, the Federal Ministry of Health, with WHO’s technical support, launched an initiative integrating sexual and reproductive health services with communicable disease interventions to improve access for vulnerable populations, including women and adolescents.
The initiative aims to bridge service gaps by combining reproductive health, HIV care, antenatal services, and other essential healthcare into a coordinated, people-centred approach across multiple states.
WHO continues to play a critical role in disease prevention and outbreak response in Nigeria, strengthening surveillance, training health workers, pre-positioning emergency supplies, and improving preparedness, particularly in northeastern states like Adamawa. These efforts form part of a broader strategy to build resilient health systems capable of responding to emergencies while maintaining essential services for reproductive and child health.