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The World Health Organisation has formed an alliance with the Borno State Government to train members of the rapid response team on how to combat the outbreak of diseases during the rainy season in the state.

Report gathered that the flood induced by heavy downpours caused an outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea, among other diseases, displaced thousands of people in residential areas, especially in the Maiduguri metropolis, and claimed lives in recent years in the state.

However, through the intervention, no fewer than 155 members of the rapid response team would be trained for the 27 local government areas in the state.

The four-day training conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital commenced on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Commenting on the development, the Director of Disease Control, Borno State Ministry of Health, Dr Aliyu Mailafiya, said participants received training on rapid response to emergencies to prevent and control disease outbreaks.

The state Coordinator, WHO Field Office, Dr Ibrahim Salisu, in his remarks to the participants, pledged continuous support to the government to tackle all healthcare challenges in the state.

“WHO has been working closely with Borno State Ministry of Health and State Primary Health Care Development Agency to build the capacity of key state and LGA officials on epidemic preparedness and response.

“WHO and partners have also been providing relevant tools and materials for the frontline teams to work and remain active in all parts of the state, regardless of the security situation in the area or time of the year,” he said.

Salisu said the RRT training was part of the efforts to ensure that new team members were adequately equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to alerts or disease threats in communities and health centres.

He urged the state and LGA PHC directors and key health officials attending the training to ensure they conduct step-down training for other team members and frontline staff who were not able to attend the training.