UNICEF, Canadian government provides over 4000 bottles of vitamin A to improve MNCH in Bauchi
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
In an effort to safeguard the lives of women and children and to ensure a healthy society, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Canadian government has provided over 4,300 bottles of vitamin A to the Bauchi state government.
The Chief of Field Office of the UNICEF in Bauchi, Dr Nuzhat Rafique disclosed this at the launching of the second round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Bauchi on Saturday.
Dr. 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.
According to the Chief of Field office, the vitamin A valued at ₦65 million, will go a long way in enhancing and improving the health of pregnant mothers.
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 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) is a week-long initiative providing healthcare interventions to pregnant women, lactating mothers, infants, and children under the age of Five.
On her part, the First Lady and wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, emphasized 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 reiterated the commitment of the present administration led by her husband towards improving the healthcare system in the state.
She 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.
The Commissioner explained that Penta 3 vaccine coverage has increased substantially, with coverage for measles vaccines rising 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 deliberate effort towards bringing down the disturbing figures.