By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
For their efforts in increasing immunization coverage and creating demand for health care services through community mobilization in Bauchi State, UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi Field office (BFO) in collaboration with the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB) have rewarded the newly introduced male community mobilizers known as Fathers for Health (F4H) with cash and certificate of honour.
In a well attended ceremony held at the banquet hall of the Government House Bauchi on Tuesday 26th November 2024, the State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed and Emirs of Bauchi and Dass were equally honoured by the Bauchi Field office (BFO) of UNICEF.
Speaking during the event, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office Bauchi, Dr. Nuzat Rafique, explained that with the help of the Fathers for Health (F4H) Group, over three thousand Children have been vaccinated against preventable disease that could have claimed their lives.
She called on the State Government to intensify efforts to scale up the initiative to all the 20 local government areas of the State.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Office commended the effort and sacrifices of the F4H group in the two local government areas of Ningi and Misau for championing the Vaccination campaign in their respective Areas.
In his remarks during occasion Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed appreciated UNICEF for its Support to the Bauchi State Government towards improved healthcare service delivery.
The Governor said Bauchi State has benefited immensely in its partnership with UNICEF, in areas of Health, Education, WASH and pledged to sustained the mutual partnership with UNICEF and other partners in enhancing service delivery in the critical sectors in the State.
He applauded UNICEF for initiating the Fathers for Health Group aimed at championing the uptake in immunization campaign in the two Local government areas benefiting from the initiative.
He also pledge to work in close collaboration with the UNICEF to scale up the F4H initiative to cover all the 20 Local Government Areas in the State with a view to checkmating zero dose vaccination challenges.
In his remark the Executive Chairman Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his giant stride in Health care development in the state which he said is attracting international partners in health sector.
He appreciated UNICEF for its continued support in providing technical and financial support towards improving health care outcomes in the State.
High point of the event that was attended by traditional/religious leaders, speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council etc, was the presentation of cash gift to the F4H group and decoration of the Governor, and Emirs of Bauchi and Dass as grand champions of improved healthcare campaign in Bauchi State by the UNICEF Chief of Field office Bauchi.