The newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS), Ondo State Branch, has paid a courtesy visit to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ondo State Office, to explore stronger collaboration in health interventions, emergency preparedness and humanitarian response across the state.
The delegation, led by the newly elected State Chairman of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Dr. Sola Adewale, comprised members of the State Branch Executive, including Itote Ifedayo, Ehizojie Emmanuel and Oniye Enoch.
Receiving the team, the WHO Ondo State Coordinator, Dr. Nuhu Ningi, warmly welcomed the delegation and commended the Nigeria Red Cross Society for its contributions to humanitarian and public health interventions across Nigeria.Dr. Ningi noted that he had witnessed the impact of the Red Cross in several states where he had worked, describing the organisation as a strategic partner in promoting community health, humanitarian services and emergency response.
He expressed his readiness to strengthen the existing relationship between the two organisations, assuring the delegation that the requests and areas of interest presented by the Ondo State Branch would be communicated to the WHO Nigeria Headquarters for further consideration.
Speaking during the visit, the NRCS Ondo State Chairman, Dr. Sola Adewale, appreciated the WHO coordinator and his team for the warm reception and for their continued efforts toward improving healthcare delivery and strengthening the capacity of health workers and communities.Dr. Adewale specifically commended the WHO for its interventions and capacity-building initiatives in the fight against Lassa fever in Ondo State, stressing the need for sustained collaboration to address emerging public health challenges.
He said the new leadership of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Ondo State Branch, was committed to working closely with government agencies, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen health interventions and humanitarian services across the state.According to him, stronger partnerships among health and humanitarian organisations are essential to improving disease prevention, community awareness, emergency preparedness and effective response to public health emergencies.
The courtesy visit also provided an avenue for both organisations to identify possible areas of collaboration, including community health education, Lassa fever prevention and response, volunteer capacity building, public health emergency preparedness and humanitarian interventions.
The engagement is expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation between the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Ondo State Branch, and the World Health Organization, particularly in strengthening community-based health interventions and enhancing the capacity of local responders.
The Red Cross delegation expressed optimism that the proposed partnership would translate into practical interventions capable of improving the wellbeing of vulnerable communities and contributing to better health outcomes across Ondo State.
