18th April, 2018
Zamfara state government has inaugurated an Emergency Operations Center as part of efforts to ensure prompt responses to disease outbreaks in the state.
The inauguration of the centre was performed by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Wednesday in Gusau.
Speaking at the occasion, Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara said that the establishment of the centre was part of the state government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Yari, represented by his Chief of staff, Malam Abdullahi Abdulkarim, said that the present administration since inception had given priority to healthcare, especially in the areas of hospital renovation and procurement of health care facilities.
“We believe this center will assist in ensuring proper responses to diseases outbreaks in the state, we are happy with the giant support given to the state by the NCDC as regards to establishment of this center.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on stakeholders particularly the development partners to support the state government in managing this center.
The CEO, NCDC Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu commended the state government for establishing the center and described it as a timely and welcome development.
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He said, “there is no time Zamfara state need this center than now, this center is necessary if we consider the various challenges of disease outbreak the state has been facing.
“We are giving much priority to Zamfara state considering the record of incessant disease outbreak challenges, we are happy with the responses of the state in addressing these challenges.
“We will continue to support the state government to ensure effective operations of this center, apart from donations of a Hilux vehicle, drugs and other equipment given to the center by the NCDC,
“Our response team will remain here for ten days to train your staff, you are our major clients, we are ready to support and cooperate with you in order to succeed in ensuring proper disease control in the state.”
The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Lawal Liman thanked NCDC for its support to the state towards establishment of the center and assured that the state government would ensure proper maintenance of the center.
Liman said that the state ministry of health was making efforts to ensure improvement in the health care sector of the state.
“We are working with all stakeholders to improve health care delivery in the state. We initiated partners forum, where we meet regularly to discuss how to improve the sector”, the Commissioner said.
Development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders in their separate key note address assured support to the center.