By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State Government has been presented with key findings on the reports of the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF Bauchi Field office.
Speaking on the objective of the dissemination meeting ,held at the conference hall of Hazibal Hotel Bauchi on Thursday 13th October, 2022, an official of the State office of the National Bureau of Statistics Mr. Emmanuel Emos said the 2021 MICS-NICS will provide an up-to-date information on the situation of children and women in Bauchi State, strengthen statistical capacity and also contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in the state and country at large.
Mr. Emos said that the report will further provide statistics to complement and assess the quality of data from recent national surveys and also deepen technical expertise.
“The report will provide reliable data for immunization coverage of children aged 0-47 months for both basic vaccination, complementary antigens and also determine obstacles to utilization of routine immunization services in Bauchi State.
“Data presented will further provide information on quality of vaccination services that includes: retention of vaccination cards, valid coverage, dropout rate, missed opportunity for vaccination and timeliness of vaccination”, said Mr. Emos.
Reacting on the key findings of the report, permanent secretary in Bauchi State ministry of health Ali Babayo thanked the development partners for the report which he described as an eye opener and call-to-action towards improved service delivery.
Babayo also said the ministry will further study the report with its critical stakeholders with a view to exploring on how to bridge the gaps highlighted by the 2021 MICS-NICS report.
“We will study the report and also review our health development plan, with particular emphasis on our annual operational plans, with a view to identifying the gaps and re-strategizing on how to address the challenges and also improve on best practices”, said Babayo.
In an interview with our correspondent, the planning and monitoring specialist in the UNICEF Bauchi Field office, Stanley Garuba who said that Bauchi is the first State where the report was disseminated, said that the data presented does not mean that the State is not doing well but, that there is always room for improvement for enhanced service delivery in the critical areas highlighted by the report.
“The report is telling of the situation in Bauchi State and the participants also seem to see the report as the reality in Bauchi State. The general reaction is that it is call for improvement in the way we are doing things. It does not mean that things does not improve over the years, but there is the opportunity to do more, to turn the tide of the negative indices into more positive status”, Garuba said.
Earlier in an opening remark the State Commissioner, Ministry for Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Hamayyo, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Idris Saleh, reiterated the determination of Bauchi State Government to collaborate and cooperate with International Donor agencies working in the state for the development and improvement in the living standard of the citizens.
He assured that the figures contained in the reports will be studied to serve as a guide for the government in its strategic development plan.
There were goodwill messages from WHO and UNFPA whom all stressed on the importance of the reports in aiding government to plan its programs aimed at developing the state through provision of improved basic social services in healthcare, education and others critical areas of human needs.
There were comments, observations and questions and answers on the report presented from guests during the meeting.