By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, has appealed to Médecins Sans Fro...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, has appealed to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, to extend their support to the state. The request comes amidst growing health challenges caused by frequent accidents, severe flooding, and increasing incidents of banditry.
Dr. Tukur made the appeal during a visit by MSF officials to the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health in Minna.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Dr. Tukur detailed the plight of riverine communities across the state, where floods claim numerous lives annually. He also pointed to mass casualties from mining accidents and outbreaks of diseases, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. Niger State’s unique geographical position, characterized by challenging terrains and its status as a transit hub between northern and southern Nigeria, further complicates emergency response efforts.
The Commissioner stressed the potential impact of a partnership between the Niger State Government and MSF, noting that collaboration could greatly improve healthcare outcomes. He assured the organization of the state’s commitment to providing the necessary support to facilitate their operations.
Dr. Abdullahi Imam, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, expressed gratitude to MSF for considering Niger State as a potential beneficiary of their interventions. He noted that the visit had provided the Ministry with deeper insights into MSF’s operations and pledged to inform Governor Umar Bago of the organization’s interest in supporting the state. Dr. Imam further assured that the Ministry would provide full cooperation to ensure the success of MSF’s mission, with technical teams set to collaborate closely with the organization’s personnel.
During the meeting, Ministry Directors posed questions regarding MSF’s logistical support, emergency response timelines, and the scope of their interventions.
Earlier, MSF Project Coordinator Mario Fernando outlined the organization’s mandate, governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Fernando explained that MSF operates in seven states, focusing on complementing state efforts and working closely with local authorities to ensure sustainability once their missions conclude.
He detailed MSF’s three-pronged approach: capacity building for healthcare workers during disease outbreaks, logistical support, and emergency response. This framework, he noted, aims to strengthen the healthcare system and enhance preparedness for future crises in Niger State.
With Niger State facing increasingly complex health challenges, the proposed partnership with MSF brings hope for more effective responses to the growing needs of its communities.
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