Measles Cases Rising In Maiduguri, Group Discloses

Doctors without Borders, popularly known as Médecins Sans Frontières, has lamented the rising cases of measles in and around Maiduguri, Borno State.

The group in a statement by its Head of Mission, David Thérond, stated that it was taking care of patients suffering from measles in Maiduguri.

On December 3, 2020, the first child affected by measles was admitted to Gwange Paediatric Hospital adding that since then, the number of patients had been increasing in Maiduguri hospitals.

He said, “A vaccination campaign is required to see the number of cases decrease. So far, a total of 1,158 children with measles have been received in Gwange Paediatric Hospital in Maiduguri from January 1 to April 3, 2021, out of which figure 58 per cent has come from Zabarmari, a small town located about 20 km from Maiduguri”.

“In response, MSF strengthened the hospitalisation capacity in both Gwange and Fori health facilities, increasing the number of beds from 65 to 105 in Gwange. MSF has also unveiled activities in partnership with the health authorities in the town of Zabarmari, one of the most affected areas which have an estimated population of over 45,000 people, including displaced families in the host community.

“Given that access to Zabarmari remains a challenge, due to its volatile context, MSF has set up a local team comprising 10 community health workers and nurses.

“During the measles outbreak in 2019, eight local government areas of Borno State were affected and MSF provided care to 4,000 children in Gwange and Bama hospitals,” Thérond said in the statement.