HIGHLIGHTS
Preliminary results indicate that 226,003 children were reached in the first phase of the polio immunization campaign that targeted 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in hard to reach areas.
The second phase of the campaign commenced on 25 September 2016 and is covering nine accessible areas. Both campaigns aim at reaching a total of 1.6 million children in Borno State.Security challenges coupled with difficult terrain in parts of Borno state prevent the conduct of rapid investigations of suspected cases of communicable diseases in the affected communities. 800 health facilities (21 of which are hospitals) have been damaged in four states of Yobe, Adamawa,
Gombe and Borno due to the conflict. In Borno state, 80% of LGAs do not have sufficient functioning health facilities.A UNICEF supported 24 hours clinic was set up at the Rehabilitation Centre for the 556 women and children released from insurgents.
Situation Update
The most recent IOM Data Tracking Matrix exercise (1 August – 15 September, 2016) reported a total of 1,446,829 IDPs in Borno, with approximately 20% living in camps and 80% living among host communities.
Given the level of destruction to the health facilities and devastating impact of the insurgency upon the health system, accessibility to basic health services remains extremely challenging. Although several partners are currently providing support, more is needed to ensure that all people receive the much needed essential lifesaving primary health services.
Access to hundreds of communities previously under the control of the insurgents has opened up as areas are cleared of insurgents. Many of these communities are in urgent and immediate need of humanitarian assistance, however road travel to many locations remains difficult and conditions outside guarded camps or settlements are not secure. Alternative strategies to access hard to reach communities are under development within the Health Sector in Borno State.
A report of the North-East assessment conducted by the Special Duties Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Health Sector Working Group in May 2016 shows that overall, due to the insurgency, 800 health facilities (including 21 hospitals) have been damaged and have lost their equipment in the states of Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Borno. This breakdown has hampered humanitarian assistance.In Borno state alone, 80% of LGAs do not have sufficient functioning health facilities.
Lack of medicines is another major issue, together with a weak referral system.
According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), three LGAs are completely inaccessible; four are fully accessible while 20 are partially accessible with varying levels from 80% to 90%, refer to map 1. Security challenges coupled with difficult terrain in parts of Borno state prevent the conduct of rapid investigations of suspected cases of communicable diseases and create great challenges for delivery of a response to in the affected communities. The Ministry of Health and partners are attempting to address these challenges through deployment of locally based community health workers, coordination with the military to support travel and facilitate communication between Maiduguri and hard to reach locations, as well as entry to isolated areas via more secure border crossings.