The World Bank through its Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project for North East Nigeria has donated 509 hand-washing machines as part of its support to fight the spread of COVID 19 in the state.
The items were handed over to the Ministry of Health by the State Project Coordinator of MCRP, Mr. Musa Idi Jidawa for onward distribution to other key ministries in the state.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education immediately took delivery of 300 of the machines to be distributed to schools across the state, following school resumption after the prolonged closure due to the pandemic.
Presenting the items to the ministry, Mr. Jidawa noted that MCRP will continue to give the needed support to the state government in all her program as well and intervene in areas of need for the citizens.
On the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Jidawa disclosed that, MCRP has made huge investments in fighting the virus in that state through very strategic measures.
Such measures he mentioned include; he added: “Setting up of 2 No. Molecular Laboratory for COVID 19 testing centres at Damaturu and Nguru; Capacity building of health workers on medical waste disposal, Infection Prevention Control IPC and Lab. Testing; Conduct of Intensive Community Engagement and Dialogue on Prevention and control measures across 14 Emirates of the 17 LGAs; Provision of customized hand washing facilities and personal protective equipment and Provision of biosafety equipment level 2 and 3 for infection control”.
Receiving the items on behalf of the commissioner of Health, Pharmacist, Musa Dauda thanked MCRP for the donation and other interventions they have done for the state government.
In his remarks, the Director of Schools in the state ministry of Education Shaibu Bulama said the items came at the right time that students are returning back to school after the closure of schools from covid-19.
He promised that the customized hand washing machines will be distributed to all schools in the state without delay.