To stop flood and cholera and other public health emergencies, the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) has stepped up efforts to mobilise and prepare communities.
The Board, in a statement on Friday, said it joined health and emergency-management stakeholders and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from 10 states, including Rivers, in a three-day engagement in Port Harcourt to enhance concerted preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Chituru Adele, the Director of Community Health, Dr Joy Wihioka, said the RSPHCMB would increase health education and emergency planning to ensure harmonised actions and boost response during emergencies.
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She also said the measures would help reduce impact on essential health services when communities are caught up in emergency response.
The three-day meeting held in Enugu by UNICEF Nigeria Enugu Field Office brought together stake-holders to discuss means of augmenting multisectoral collaboration in protecting the communities and essential health services from the impact of emergency situations.
The meeting concluded that increased collaboration among health and emergency management agencies will improve harmonized response planning and activities, including coordination of health and operational support during emergency responses.
The Board urged residents to be wary and adhere strictly to warnings by relevant authorities and put in place necessary precautionary measures in their homes to prevent the rampant spread of diseases..
They were also urged to seek early treatment from the nearest health facility if any member of their household exhibits symptoms of illness.
