By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State First Lady Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed has flagged off this year’s bi-annual Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week in Bauchi, the state capital.
At the symbolic flagging off ceremony held at Gida Dubu Primary Health Care Center (PHC) on Monday 22nd May, 2023, the First Lady said the MNCH Week was primarily organized to provide a free integrated health package for women and children.
Aisha Bala Mohammed said the services provide during the week are aimed at strengthening the routine health facility services for pregnant women, mothers and children of less than five years.
She said MNCH Week is an event focused to accelerate actions for promoting and substantially contribute to improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health indicators that needs vigorous mobilization for maximum coverage.
The First Lady, who was represented by the State Commissioner of Health Dr. Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe said that strengthening primary health care services remains top priority of the current administration of Governor Bala Mohammed, assuring that more will be done in that direction.
Earlier in a keynote address, State Commissioner of Health Dr. Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Ali Babayo Gamawa said that the weeklong MNCH i services will be provided in two health facilities per ward totaling 646 PHCs across the state, with 1,292 health care workers engaged to deliver services to clients at the facilities.
“Our target for this year is 1,486,070 children from 6-59 months for Vitamin A and 1,320,951 children aged of 12-59 months for deworming medication, nutrition and immunization services among others.
“412,797 pregnant women are also targeted to receive iron folate and other antenatal care services”, said Dr. Gwalabe.
In a goodwill message, State Focal Person of USAID funded Alive and Thrive FHI360, Chidiebre Asimobi commended the State Government for its concern on improved Primary Healthcare system.
Asimobi then reiterated the resolve of his organisation’s continuous support awareness creation for the uptake of nutritional foods so that Bauchi State will reduce the burden of malnourished children.
He then urged mothers whose children are within the age bracket to avail themselves services being offered in the week long MNCH week.
Another partner , the state coordinator of Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N),Usman Mohammed Inuwa congratulated Bauchi State for the commencement of the MNCH Week and also called on State Primary Health Care Development Agency to be involving CSOs in the State before, during and after implementation of such activities.
There were other goodwill messages from UNICEF, USAID, WHO with all of them reiterating their support to Bauchi State towards strengthening its healthcare system.