The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with funding support from the United States, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public health emergency preparedness and response systems in Adamawa State.
Dr Abe Egbe, Public Health Emergency Specialist at UNICEF Abuja, disclosed this on Tuesday in Yola during a Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment and Development of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan meeting.
Egbe said the exercise was designed to support Adamawa in developing a framework for identifying and managing recurring hazards, including floods, cholera, meningitis, and diphtheria outbreaks affecting communities.
According to him, the framework would enable the state government to anticipate risks, improve planning, and implement timely interventions aimed at reducing preventable illnesses, deaths, and public health emergencies.
“These will help the Adamawa government plan appropriate responses needed to mitigate unnecessary deaths resulting from hazards in the state,” he said.
Mr Anwar Abubakar, Senior Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said the assessment would identify, describe, and prioritise hazards capable of triggering emergencies.
He said the exercise would also evaluate Adamawa’s capacity to manage multiple emergencies simultaneously, including available infrastructure, human resources, and the effectiveness of existing health systems.
The assessment, he added, would support the development of seasonal calendars, risk matrices, and all-hazard databases to guide preparedness efforts.
Abubakar further said the exercise would establish governance, coordination, and accountability mechanisms for implementing the Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment framework and ensuring regular reviews of preparedness strategies.
In his remarks, Adamawa Commissioner for Health and Human Capital Development, Mr Mohammed Chubado, appreciated the Federal Government, UNICEF, and other development partners for supporting public health advancement in the state.
Chubado, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Zira Bubanani, said the recommendations from the exercise would strengthen evidence-based decision-making and improve health security across Adamawa.
He urged participants to develop practical and sustainable recommendations capable of safeguarding communities, improving resilience, and strengthening the health system.
Mr Kadabiyu Jones, the State Epidemiologist, said the document would provide a clearer understanding of risks facing the state and guide authorities in implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
He added that effective implementation of the recommendations would help reduce mortality associated with recurring hazards and improve emergency response outcomes across Adamawa.
Source: NAN
