February 15, (THEWILL) – The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has donated drugs and other medical consumables worth $313,143 to improve healthcare delivery and strengthen the capacity of Primary Health Care facilities in Borno State.
UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong T Nguyen, who disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs in Maiduguri on Thursday, said the intervention aims to support pregnant women, newborns and vulnerable children in the state.
She disclosed that women and children have paid the highest cost of armed conflict in north-east Nigeria.
According to UNICEF, the distribution of the drugs was to strengthen health services delivery to pregnant women, newborns and under-five children.
“UNICEF is today handing over essential medical supplies worth over $313,143 to the Borno State Government to improve the quality of care available in health facilities across the state.
“These supplies, including cots, baby bassinets, bed screens, stretchers, trolleys and examination tables, among others, will enhance service delivery and quality of services available to vulnerable pregnant women, newborns and children across the state,” Nguyen said.
She noted that 14 years of insurgency crisis has had a devastating effect on the health sector as 170 lives of children are lost through various causes of conflicts in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
“In 2020, each day of conflict claimed the lives of 170 children from direct and indirect causes in northeast Nigeria, and reduced access to health services, according to a United Nations (UNDP) agency report.
“Protracted conflict has continued to contribute to disease outbreaks and maternal and child mortality rates, including child malnutrition in north-east Nigeria.
“With this intervention, pregnant women, newborns and children affected by conflict in Borno State will be able to access qualitative healthcare services in their communities through the provision of essential health supplies in primary healthcare facilities located in their communities,” Nguyen said.
While taking the delivery of the items, the State Commissioner for Health and Humanity, Prof Baba Malum Gana, thanked UNICEF for the support and assured that the intervention will strengthen the capacity of health workers in Borno State to respond to the health needs of maternal, neonatal and child survival in Borno State.
About the Author
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
