BASG Applauds UNICEF, GAC’s Support On Immunization, Maternal Health

By Usman Walin Gungura, Bauchi

Global Affairs Canada (GAC), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), on Monday, presented 45 Boxer motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government, to strengthen immunization and maternal health services in hard-to-reach communities.

Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Bauchi Field Office (UNICEF) presented the motorcycles to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Dr. Rafique while presenting the motorcycles, said the support from Global Affairs Canada targets adolescent reproductive health in Bauchi State, with a focus on hard-to-reach areas.

She informed that the 45 motorcycles, were meant to be two per each local government area of Bauchi state, with 20 LGA’s intended to reach communities where women, children and adolescents struggle to access health facilities. “The purpose is to reach the last child,” she emphasized..

The Chief Field Offer, noted that UNICEF prioritizes vulnerable populations facing financial and geographic barriers. “If it is not possible for them to reach us, we have to reach them,” she emphasized.

Dr. Rafique, described immunization as the entry point for reaching zero-dose children, pointing out that thousands of children in Bauchi have never been vaccinated. Many adolescent mothers, married at an early age, also lack ante-natal care, she pointed out.

She called on stakeholders for a comprehensive approach to reduce maternal and newborn mortality, which she said remains among the highest in West Africa, particularly in the North East.

“We need to increase the age of marriage and ensure those already married get the best services so they can give birth to healthy children and survive,” she stressed.

Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, the State Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, while receiving the motorcycles, expressed appreciation to GAC and UNICEF, for the support, saying healthcare delivery has been a priority for the state government over the past six years.

He assured the two international organizations that the motorcycles received would be delivered to the targeted beneficiaries through the LGA’s to help reduce maternal mortality and improve child and adolescent health, while warning the end users to strictly follow operating guidelines.

UNICEF Health Officer, Seyi Olosunde, informed that the intervention coincides with the World Immunization Week.

“UNICEF believes immunization is the entry point to delivering integrated primary healthcare services,” he added.

The health specialist noted that while Bauchi has seen some gains in immunization coverage, uptake of institutional delivery and neonatal care remains low.

He stressed that the GAC-funded project, launched eight months ago, focuses on adolescent, maternal and newborn health.

According to him, under the plan, immunization teams will deploy nurses and community midwives to remote areas.

“This will increase uptake of ante-natal care and adolescent health services in communities cut off by distance and financial barriers,” Olosunde added.

He also pointed out that the motorcycles will expand coverage of maternal, newborn and child health services, and improve supervision of community-based health workers to ensure quality and effective health care delivery.