Abuja, 13 June 2017 - The Taraba State Governor, His Excellency Darius Dickson Ishaku is seeking greater collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) in meeting the health needs of the his people. To show his commitment, the Governor paid an advocacy visit to the WHO country Representative (WR) Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, in his office in Abuja on 09 June 2017.

“Since assumption of office two years ago, my administration has maintained high level collaboration with WHO to provide healthcare services to the people of Taraba. WHO has been very supportive in translating our health sector into reality and we want the organization to assist us further in manpower development,” the Governor says.

During the visit, His Excellency outlined his health sector vision as enshrined in his ‘rescue mission’ agenda to address challenges in the state, which had always reported high prevalence of HIV/AIDs, Lassa fever, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). Additionally, the state which shares boundaries with some regions of Cameroun Republic, also has extensive borders with Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue,Plateau and Nassarawa states in Nigeria, is witnessing continuous influx of internally displace persons (IDPs)  fleeing insurgency from the north east.

The challenges notwithstanding, Taraba has maintained a polio-free status despite being a state at high risk of importation due to its location and daily interactions with IDPs from Borno state that reported four cases of the wild poliovirus (WPV) in 2016. Furthermore, Taraba continues the prioritization of TB and is presently rated as one of few states in Nigeria  that have provided counterpart-funding to Global Fund supported TB activities in 2016 and 2017.

For his exemplary leadership role in curtailing disease outbreaks and desire to improve the health status of the electorate, the WR, Dr Alemu pledged WHO’s continued support towards achieving universal health coverage in the state.

“Your Excellency, I wish to appreciate the commencement of revitalization of primary healthcare service by your administration through renovation of hospital/clinics. Our personnel working in the field office in Taraba also informed us of your consistent and prompt release of counterpart funds for supplemental immunization activities since last year,” says WR.

Dr Alemu informed the Governor and his entourage about WHO’s huge investments in Taraba to support the state in averting importation of WPV, maintain polio free status and sustain   certification standard AFP surveillance as well as building the capacity of the health workforce to strengthen the health system.

He encouraged Governor Darius to leverage on the assistance given by WHO by providing required funding to strengthen routine immunization activities in the state. Additionally, the WR asked the governor to endure the implementation of Abuja commitment by directing local government chairmen in the state to be personally involved in sustaining polio resilience activities through personal involvement in monitoring, supervising and funding implementation of immunization plans at the operational level.

On the Governor’s requests, the WR noted that though not a funding agency, WHO will assess areas of mutual benefits for support. He also accepted the governor’s invitation to visit Taraba state on a later date.

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For more information, please contact:

Ms  Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.int

Below :

01 The Governor (right) and WR in Abuja

02 Governors entourage and WHO team deliberating on matters of mutual interest

03 Group photo with the Governor and WR at WHO office in Abuja