IOM in partnership with Japan launch a new initiative to improve healthcare access for displaced communities in North-Eastern Nigeria

Abuja – The Government of Japan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have signed a partnership agreement to launch the project “Strengthening Basic  Health  Care Services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Returnees and Host Communities” in Adamawa State, in north-eastern Nigeria.

The new initiative will support the construction, rehabilitation and equipment of nine healthcare facilities to support the wellbeing of an estimated 150 000 people, including persons with disabilities, across eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State. The initiative will also provide training opportunities for healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives and other specialists, to enhance their knowledge and skills, and empower them to provide adequate care to populations.  

“The right to health is a basic human right. Internally displaced persons may often face health issues during their displacement. It is key to provide the appropriate healthcare to them and their host communities”, says Laurent De Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria. “This initiative is a testament of our collaborative efforts to ensure that none of them are left behind”, he added.

More than a decade of conflict in north-east Nigeria has left a devastating impact on people, infrastructure, as well as economic, health and education systems. Across the three States, health systems have particularly suffered from the crisis. In Adamawa State for instance, 46% of the accessible health facilities in 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) were fully or partially damaged by the effects of the protracted insurgency, according to a WHO report.

Unable to access basic health services in their communities, displaced persons and local populations are left vulnerable to high risks of diseases, with some taking dangerous journeys to larger villages and settlements for treatment, thereby exposing themselves to additional security risks.

His Excellency, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Amb. Kazuyoshi Matsunaga stated that “The ultimate measure of success of this project should not be by the construction of beautiful primary healthcare centres or improved access to healthcare services with advanced technology, but by the healthy and safe lives of citizens who benefit from these improved healthcare services beyond the duration of the project.”  

He also emphasized the important role of technologies and private sector for the project, “This project stands out for its concrete steps towards long-term sustainability, the introduction of innovative technologies such as medical MaaS and telemedicine, the involvement of Japanese companies, and its potential to serve as a model for improving healthcare services throughout Nigeria.”

Yuzurio Susumu, JICA Chief Representative reaffirmed that the “Government of Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to peace-building efforts, recognizing the critical role that access to essential services, particularly healthcare, plays in fostering stability and reconciliation. Together, let us continue to work towards building a future where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive in dignity, security, and peace”.

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For more information, please contact Francois-Xavier Ada, Public Information Officer. Email: fadaaffana@iom.int.