By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the lives of women and children to ensure a healthy society.
The assertion was made by the Chief of Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, at the launching of the second round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) of Bauchi State held on Saturday.
Nuzhat Rafique noted that the Canadian Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, had provided the State with over 4,300 bottles of Vitamin A which will translate to 1,405,400 doses, valued at ₦65 million.
She added that, UNICEF has extended direct cash assistance of ₦31.6 million to the State Government, through the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, to support health interventions for children.
The MNCHW is a week-long initiative providing healthcare interventions to pregnant women, lactating mothers, infants, and children under the age of Five.
In her address Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, emphasised the vital role women play in improving family health and urged them to cultivate nutritious foods in their backyards to protect their children and families from malnutrition.
The First Lady emphasize the commitment of the present administration of Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir towards improving the healthcare system in the state.
Aisha Bala Mohammed called on parents to avail their children the opportunity to benefit from the myriad of interventions being provided.
Also speaking, Commissioner of Health, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, highlighted significant progress made by the state, as reflected in the latest data from the 2023/2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
He stated that the state’s immunisation coverage for children aged U-5 had improved from 33% in the NnDHS (20I8) to 58% in the 2023/2024 data.
He stressed that similarly, Penta 3 vaccine coverage increased substantially, and coverage for measles vaccines rose from 7% in the 2018 NDHS to 27% in the current survey.
He therefore commended the Bauchi state Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for showing strong commitment to addressing health challenges, through prioritizing health as a central pillar of his administration towards improving of healthcare infrastructure and increased budgetary allocation to the sector.
The Commissioner however acknowledged the rise in maternal mortality rate, where he called for delivberate effort towards arresting the disturbing indices.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed emphasized the need of ensuring good hygiene among women, which according to him, helps in addressing various diseases in the society.
