The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated a vital consignment of medical supplies to the Taraba state’Ministry of Health.
The donation, as gathered by the WorldClass247News, is intended to support the treatment and management of cervical cancer, Lassa fever, and cholera outbreaks across the state.
The handover ceremony, held at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Jalingo, was attended by senior health officials, stakeholders, and representatives of the NEDC.
Leading the NEDC team, Dr. Batulu Isa Mohammed explained that the initiative builds on recent training provided to Taraba-based medical personnel in Gombe State.
She said the donation is especially aimed at reducing the financial burden of cervical cancer treatment, particularly for women who struggle with access to care.
“These drugs and materials will provide much-needed relief to patients, ensuring timely and effective treatment,” she stated. Dr. Batulu emphasized the importance of disease prevention and equitable distribution, noting that every zone in the state would benefit from the supplies.
She also warned of the heightened risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season, underscoring the need for increased public health awareness. Dr. Batulu reaffirmed the NEDC’s commitment to supporting the Taraba State Government in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and services.
Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Buma Bodiya, commended the NEDC for what he described as a timely and strategic intervention, aligning with the healthcare vision of Governor Agbu Kefas.
“This gesture directly supports the governor’s agenda of improving access to quality healthcare. These supplies will go a long way in saving lives across the state,” Dr. Bodiya said.
He confirmed that cholera outbreaks had recently been reported in Chinkai, Wukari Local Government Area, and that medications had been dispatched to Karim Lamido LGA in response to similar cases. He also disclosed that Taraba had recently received Lassa fever medications from India, following Governor Kefas’s engagement with the Federal Minister of Health.
Dr. Bodiya appealed to the NEDC for additional support in expanding the state’s pharmaceutical storage infrastructure. He proposed the upgrade of the Central Medical Store in Jalingo and the establishment of new storage facilities in each of the state’s three senatorial districts to improve drug distribution and management.
He further called for urgent intervention in the procurement of anti-snake venom, citing a seasonal increase in snakebite incidents and the high cost and scarcity of the treatment.
The NEDC’s donation, was observed to have marked another milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen Taraba’s health system and reduce the burden of preventable diseases in vulnerable communities.