Borno Gov Shettima

An outbreak of diarrhea has been reported in  over 22 Internally Displaced Persons’ IDP camps in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State in North-East Nigeria. The cause has been attributed to over-crowding, lack of environmental sanitation and poor personal hygiene in the camps

The  Director, Medical Response and Humanitarian Services, Dr Muhammad Guluze of  Borno State  Ministry of Health speaking  to journalists Friday said that over 500 cases of diarrhea and vomiting had been recorded in 22 Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps. He  however added that no death had been recorded so far .

According to him, about 320 of those affected are receiving treatment in about 18 health facilities within the State capital.
He explained  that the Ministry had already dispatched a rapid response team of medical personnel to the affected centres to address the problem.

Guluze attributed the outbreak of the diseases to poor personal hygiene on the part of the IDPs as well as lack of environmental sanitation in the camps.

He lamented that challenges were being faced on a daily basis as a result of the increase in IDPs trooping into the camps from some of the towns liberated by the military.

"The camps are over-stretched but we are working with other partners, which include NEMA, WHO, UNICEF, BOSEPA and SEMA, to provide conducive, healthy and hygienic environment for the IDPs,” he said.