By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State Government has pledged to pay it’s Counterpart funding for child nutrition aimed at improving nutritional status of children across the State.
Governor Bala Mohammed made the pledge on Monday 22nd April, 2024 when UNICEF Bauchi Field Office delegation, a long side UNICEF Child Health Ambassador Ms.Kate Henshaw paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House Bauchi.
The Governor informed the visitors that his administration places high premium on healthcare service delivery among its social services.
He commended UNICEF Nigeria and Bauchi Field Office in particular for their humanitarian services not only in the health sector but other critical social services like WASH and Basic Education.
Governor Bala Mohammed said that the State is learning a lot from UNICEF from its humanitarian services.
Earlier speaking, the Chief of field office Dr. Tushar Rane said that Bauchi State has been a warm host to the field office and that the demonstration of political will by the Government in its effort towards improved Maternal and Child Health is examplary.
Dr. Rane said that the purpose of the visit was present UNICEF Child Health Ambassador Ms. Kate Henshaw, who will be visiting some communities to give health talk on child nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, ANC and other MNCH issues.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Child Health Ambassador Ms. Kate Henshaw, a famous Nigerian film celebrity, appreciated Governor Bala Mohammed for the transformation the State is witnessing and further called of all stakeholders in the health sector to work together towards improved Maternal and children nutrition.
Henshaw said that the first 1000 days of child life form the basis of child’s development into his/her full potential.
She also reiterated that while addressing child nutrition, efforts should be geared towards providing for maternal nutrition too, as according to her, healthy mother produces a healthy child.
Highlights of the visit was the unveiling of a new nutrition campaign banner that is going to be used for creating more awareness on nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding.