The International Committee of the Red Cross has intensified its efforts to enhance healthcare and nutrition services in Madagali, one of the most severely affected communities in Adamawa.

Speaking in Madagali, Francesca Piccin, head of the ICRC Sub-delegation in Mubi, said the area had faced immense challenges since non-state armed groups took control in 2014, leaving infrastructure in ruins.

“So, since then, it’s been very challenging for all the communities around here. We reopened access to Madagali in April 2024 after being unable to operate here since 2018 due to insecurity,” Ms Piccin said.

She explained that the ICRC had been working closely with local communities to support civilians, particularly women and children, in accessing basic services such as healthcare, clean water, and nutrition.

“As part of its healthcare support, the ICRC has renovated the existing central primary healthcare centre and installed a water tower and tanks to improve access to clean water.

“The organisation is also constructing a new, modern primary healthcare facility with solar power and boreholes, in partnership with local leaders who provided the land for the project.

“The current health centre is old and severely damaged. We are not just renovating but also building a new facility to expand capacity. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year,” Ms Piccin said.

The ICRC also introduced a nutritional programme known as ‘Tom Brown’, which taught women, especially nursing mothers, how to prepare nutritious food supplements using local ingredients such as soybeans, millet, maize, groundnuts, and moringa.

“This initiative helps prevent malnutrition in children because prevention is always better than cure,” Ms Piccin added.

Madagali has become a safe haven for displaced families seeking refuge from insecurity and attacks in nearby areas.

“We continue to see many people arriving here because of conflict in surrounding regions. The new health facility and water infrastructure will help alleviate some of this pressure. The upcoming health centre will be fully solar-powered to ensure sustainable access to electricity, which has been a major challenge in the area,” Ms Piccin said.

The chairman of the Madagali Ward Development Committee, Musa Adhas, hailed the ICRC for its support.

“The Red Cross has done a lot for our community, especially in health. They even increased the stipend for our volunteers, which has motivated them greatly,” he said.

He added that the current healthcare facility was too small for the growing population, and the new centre would bring relief to many residents who previously had to travel long distances for medical care.

“We thank the Red Cross for bringing life back to our community. Women now learn how to keep their children healthy through nutrition; we have women’s hygiene clubs, and farmers receive support with materials for easier farming,” Ms Adhas said.

He also called on the government to complement the efforts of humanitarian organisations, noting that conflict had severely affected local families and businesses. Women were seen at the centre learning how to prepare ‘Tom Brown’, while many others accessed medical treatment.

(NAN)