The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)says it has received huge financial support to the tune of Ten Million Naira (5500 USD), from the Korean Government through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), towards supporting the ongoing medical outreach to people displaced by flood in Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established in April 1991 by the Korean Government as a governmental agency dedicated to providing grant and aid programs.
It operates both domestically and internationally as a development cooperation platform contributing to accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).
Through its Global Disease Eradication Fund, KOICA partners with international non-governmental organizations and the private sector to prevent and eradicate infectious diseases in developing countries.
The Head of KOICA in Nigeria called on NMA to make good use of the funds in providing medical services to the victims of flood in Maiduguri as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
A statement by the NMA Publicity Secretary Dr. Mannir Bature said, the NMA President represented by the Chairman NMA FCT Dr Emeka Ayogu at the signing of the MOU in Abuja expressed happiness with the donation and assured the Head of KOICA in Nigeria that NMA will make good use of the funds towards providing medical services to the most vulnerable population in Maiduguri.
Recall that thousands of people have been displaced in multiple communities in Maiduguri following severe flash floods.
The flooding and subsequent displacement of the people significantly increased the health risks such as cholera and other waterborne diseases thereby exacerbating the already terrible humanitarian situation in Borno State.
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Health facilities were not left out as they were also affected leading to a catastrophic public health crisis.
For this reason, NMA launched a medical outreach to designated IDPs in order to ensure delivery of health care services to those in need especially the most vulnerable including children, women and the elderly.
In addition to medical outreach, NMA is also rolling out its “Hot Meal Initiative” designed to provide cooked and highly nutritious food daily to people at designated IDPs in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
