Borno Government has trained 50 tertiary healthcare professionals on
mental health and psychosocial support services to assist victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the state.
The just concluded training brought to 200 medical staff so far trained for such services in the state where many communities are recovering from the trauma of the crisis.
Speaking at the training held at Umoru Shehu Center of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, the State Project Coordinator of World Bank supported Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), Mr Baba Zannah Abdulkarim said the training done in collaboration with Borno Government under the MCRP was part of interventions to help the state, particularly affected communities as the recover from the trauma of the insurgency.
According to Abdulkarim other interventions under the MCRP included environmental cleaning, payment of health workers allowances, building of hospitals and primary healthcare centres, support to tertiary health facilities as well as training of community leaders on ownership among others.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, Prof. Abubakar Kullima, said the training was a significant step towards promoting healing, resilience and recovery among those who have experienced immense suffering.
He urged the participants to use the knowledge and skills acquired in the training in providing compassionate care and support to those who have endured the devastating effects of the conflict.
In his contribution, the Managing Director of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Wakawa, said the training programme underscores the urgent need to enhance mental health services and support for those who have endured unimaginable suffering due to conflict.
Earlier, the Director Mental Health and Psychosocial Support at the center, Dr Falmata Baba Shettima also lauded the organizers for the training, adding that by working in collaboration with partners like the World Bank-supported MCRP and the Borno State government, the center is better positioned to address the complex needs of survivors and promote healing and resilience.
Some of the participants who spoke, Dr Fatima Kashim Zanna and Ibrahim Muhammad said lauded the initiative, assuring that they would use the knowledge acquired in giving those in need better care.
