By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the State Primary Health Care Board, has flagged off the second round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW).
The week-long campaign aims to provide comprehensive healthcare interventions to pregnant women, nursing mothers, newborns, and children under the age of five.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Bauchi State governor, Aisha Bala, highlighted the significance of antenatal care, hospital delivery, and postnatal care in reducing complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
She also encouraged women of reproductive age to embrace backyard farming to grow nutritious foods and vegetables, thereby improving their nutritional status.
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Mohammed, revealed that the state’s healthcare indices have shown significant improvement, citing findings from the 2023/2024 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS).
Immunization coverage for children aged 12 to 23 months increased from 33% in 2018 to 58% in the latest survey.
However, Dr. Mohammed acknowledged the rising maternal mortality rate in the state and called for targeted interventions to tackle the issue.
Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique disclosed that the Canadian government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has supported the campaign with Vitamin A supplementation.
During the week, participants will have access to a range of services, including antenatal care, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition education, and routine immunizations.
