An NGO, International Rescue Committee (IRC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) has provided healthcare services to 316,887 people in rural areas affected by insurgency in Borno.
The Country Director of IRC, Mr Babatunde Anthony, made this known on Thursday in Gwoza town at the inauguration of the Gwoza General Hospital complex constructed by IRC with funding from the EU.
Anthony said 182,900 women and 133,987 men received treatments in Gwoza, Mafa, Konduga and Magumeri LGAs under the Response, Recovery and Resilience project.
The project, he said, aims to strengthen health services in Borno.
”The maternity ward put in place, will safe delivery for pregnant women and survival of newborns which is very important in healthcare delivery.
“With improvement in security and peace, more people are expected to return to Gwoza.
“Thinking ahead, there is need to increase the capacity of Gwoza General Hospital to meet the expected increase in demand for health service, especially maternal and child health.
“This is the reason behind the decision to replace the current old infrastructure and replace it with modern improved facility that will take care of next generation,” Anthony said.
He said the Gwoza facility would serve over 200,000 population of Gwoza town and the 45,065 women of child-bearing age expected to recieve Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services.
Speaking Abdulkarim Abdulrahman, the Special Adviser to Borno Governor on Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, lauded the intervention which he said would facilitate the government resettlement programme.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Gwoza, Prof. Ibrahim Bulama and the Executive Secretary, Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response in Borno, Bunu Monguno lauded the role of the EU and IRC in enhancing livelihood of the people of Borno.
They said the interventions which were in line with the state government’s 25-year development plan, has facilitated the return of people to Gwoza after the Military dislodged the insurgents.
