FROM SURAJO MUHAMMAD
The Zamfara State Agency for Rural Water and Sanitation (RUWATSAN) will partnering with United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF) on cholera eradication outbreak across the state.
This was stated by the Programme Manager, RUWATSAN, Alhaji Sani Yaro Gurbinbore in a Chat with Zamfara WASH Journalists Forum in Gusau the Zamfara State Capital.
He explained that, based on the outcome of 2021 cholera outbreak in the country, the Unicef is facilitating 10 months cholera eradication project in Sokoto and Zamfara states, the project to be funded by European Union Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO).
" In Zamfara State, Zurmi local government area was selected for the project, the project is aimed at System Strengthening for Cholera Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Risk Mitigation in High Risk Communities in the state", He said.
He further said, the project is to focus on sensitisation and awareness creation to communities, especially in fight against open defecation, sanitation and hygiene.
"This is to give priority to health and water supply sectors. We are targeting to cover over 100 communities in Zurmi LGA area of Zamfara State", he added
"We are expecting to reach out over 60,000 persons in sensitization campaign under the project. We have already carried out two inception meeting with stakeholders at State Primary Health Care Board and Zurmi local government area" he said.
He Commended ECHO Unicef for the gesture to the state, the Programme Manager called on stakeholders at all levels to support the programme considering its impact on health care delivery system.
The program Manager assured the state government's readiness to give all maximum support and cooperation for the success of the project.
He called on the Journalists' forum to cooperate and support to the project, According to him, media as agent of information dissemination has greater role to play in the project.
"Since the project giving emphasis on sensitisation and awareness creation, we expect much effort from the media", Gurbinbore added.
Responding, the Chairman Zamfara WASH Journalists Forum, Ishaq Tambuwal commended the Unicef and ECHO for selecting Zamfara for the project.
Tambuwal assured readiness of members of the forum to support the project in the areas of awareness creation to the targeted beneficiaries.
"Journalists as forth estate of the realm, we are ready to partner with both government and non governmental organizations for the development in the society", Tambuwal said.