The devastating floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, are more than just a natural disaster; they pose a severe public health crisis that demands urgent, coordinated action. The overflow of the Alau Dam and days of torrential rain have left thousands displaced, critical infrastructure submerged, and health services overwhelmed. Here’s how the flood is affecting public health and what must be done to mitigate its impact.

Potential Adverse Effects of the Flood on Public Health:

1. Waterborne Diseases:
   The flood has contaminated water sources with sewage and debris, raising the risk of deadly waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Without immediate access to clean drinking water, entire communities could face outbreaks of these diseases, especially in overcrowded shelters where sanitation is poor.
2. Vector-Borne Diseases:
   Stagnant water left by the flood creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to a surge in malaria and potentially dengue fever cases. The situation becomes worse as access to mosquito control measures like nets and insecticides is severely limited.
3. Mental Health Strain:
   Families have not only lost their homes and possessions but, in many cases, loved ones. The trauma of displacement, the uncertainty of the future, and the breakdown of community structures are likely to cause widespread psychological distress. Mental health support is crucial but often overlooked in disaster responses.
4. Malnutrition:
   Disrupted food supplies have put vulnerable populations particularly children, pregnant women, and the elderly at risk of malnutrition. Markets have been submerged, and food prices have spiked, making it harder for families to access basic nutrition.
5. Healthcare Disruption:
   With hospitals, like the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and other tertiary, secondary and primary health facilities severely affected by floodwaters, access to healthcare services has been cut off for thousands. Routine health services, including maternal and child health, immunizations, and treatment for chronic diseases, have come to a halt.

Action Recommendations for the Government:

1. Ensure Safe Water and Sanitation:
   The government must immediately mobilize resources to provide clean water through purification tablets, water trucks, and mobile filtration units. Temporary sanitation facilities should be set up in flood-affected areas, and hygiene education campaigns should be initiated to prevent the spread of diseases.
2. Boost Emergency Healthcare Services:
   Mobile clinics and emergency medical teams should be deployed to treat the rising number of flood-related injuries and illnesses. The government should work closely with international partners to bring in medical supplies, including cholera vaccines and antimalarials. Restocking health facilities and supporting displaced healthcare workers is essential to maintaining some level of healthcare access during the crisis.
3. Mental Health and Psychological Support:
   Trauma from the disaster will have long-lasting effects on both individuals and the community. The government should create spaces where people can receive counseling and emotional support. Collaborating with humanitarian organizations to provide psychosocial services is crucial for recovery, especially for children who have been displaced or lost family members.
4. Food Security and Nutrition:
   The government must coordinate food relief efforts with local and international agencies. Distributing food supplies directly to displaced families and setting up food distribution centers in flood-free areas will help alleviate hunger. Special attention should be given to providing nutritious meals for children, pregnant women, and the elderly to prevent malnutrition.
5. Mosquito Control:
   Vector control programs should be initiated immediately, including distributing mosquito nets and spraying insecticides in flood-hit areas. Without these measures, the spread of malaria and other vector-borne diseases could further devastate an already vulnerable population.
6. Restoration of Basic Health Services:
   As the floodwaters recede, healthcare facilities will need rehabilitation. Ensuring that hospitals and clinics can resume services as soon as possible is critical. This includes infrastructure repairs, restocking medical supplies, and reactivating disrupted services like immunizations.

Why Urgent Action is Necessary:

The people of Maiduguri are facing a dual catastrophe: the immediate effects of the flood and the looming public health crisis. If these actions are not taken promptly, the region could see a secondary disaster in the form of widespread disease outbreaks, long-term food insecurity, and a mental health crisis. The government’s ability to mobilize resources, in partnership with humanitarian organizations like UNICEF, WHO, NEMA, Red Cross etc, will determine the scale of the disaster’s aftermath.

In times like this, quick, decisive actions can save thousands of lives, and the international community, NGOs, and private citizens must rally behind the government’s efforts to protect the health and well-being of those affected.

Muhammad Saddiq

m.saddiq@rhemn.org.ng