Gender Based Violence: WHO, Yobe gov’t to provide treatment, psychosocial support to victims

Story from Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Yobe State Government, pledges to provide treatment and psychosocial support to victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

WHO Acting Emergency Manager, Northeastern Nigeria, Dr Issac Boateng stated this at a capacity building training for stakeholders in Damaturu on Friday.

He said victims with complicated cases would be referred to secondary healthcare centres, where necessary.

Represented by WHO Public Health Officer, Dr Ibrahim Salisu, Boateng said the organization had deployed mobile health teams in remote areas to identify cases of GBV.

He said the WHO and its partners would continue to provide interventions at various levels to strengthen the response to GBV in emergencies.

“At a higher level, we are building the capacity of government officials in the state ministry of health to develop relevant policies and guidelines for use.

“As for the frontline service delivery level, we are targeting healthcare workers with various training and capacity building,” he said.

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Lawan Gana who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Hauwa Larai-Goni, commended the WHO for its various interventions.

She explained that the organization had supported the state in the training of health workers and the provision of clinical consumables, especially during emergencies.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim noted that GBV especially among minors was a matter concern to the police in the state.

He charged members of the public to always report GBV to appropriate authorities and avoid concealing the identities of its perpetrators.

Participants of the training include; Healthcare Workers, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society Organizations and Religious leaders.