Bauchi State Government has lamented that the state indices on Maternal and Child Health situation according to MIC Survey, 2021 and NDHS 2018 are not encouraging.
The assertion was made by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Adamu Sambo in a keynote address during the official handing over of equipment for the established Center of Excellence by Alive and Thrive FHI360 for the purpose of comprehensive maternal infants and young child nutrition services in Durum PHC, Bauchi Local Government held at Yimir Hotel, Bauchi, on Wednesday, 13th December 2023.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ali Babayo stated that Bauchi state records on Early Initiation are at 12.3%, Exclusive Breastfeeding is at 26.4%, Stunting at 55%, wasting at 9% and Anaemia in Women at 15 – 49 years is at 68.6%.
According to him, “This calls for emergency preventive and curative interventions to reduce the prevalence of maternal and under Five children mortality in the State.”
He added that Bauchi State Government is committed to working with Development partners especially Alive and Thrive- FHI360 to improve Nutritional status of women and Children through adequate fund release and ensure availability of Nutrition commodities and of course monitoring of piloted MIYCN center of excellence and plan for scale up.
He said, “I am delighted to be in your midst this morning for the handing over of equipment’s to the Bauchi State Government worth Millions of Naira by Alive and Thrive (FHI360), which will be use to equip the established Maternal infant and young Child Nutrition Center of Excellence in Durum Primary Health Care Center Bauchi Local Government.”
In affirming that Nutrition and Health are a major priority of this administration, Adamu Sambo said that the Bauchi State Government Inaugurated State Council on Nutrition headed by the Deputy Governor who will be receiving feedback from the State Committee on Food and Nutrition.
The government also appropriated 15% of the 2024 Budget for Health Sector.
“Let me use this medium to thank Alive and Thrive for their numerous intervention in Training of Health Care Providers, supporting in the domestication and finalization of Bauchi State Nutrition and MIYCN related Strategies, Policies and Guidelines and also appreciate other like BMGF, WHO, UNICEF, USAID, Nutrition international and other critical partners that support strengthening our health system and promise that the state government on its part will continue to support and promote issues of Nutrition and Health in general,” he added.
He then called on the entire people of Bauchi State especially Durum Community to Support their Families to access health at Health facilities and also benefit from the Centre of Excellence.
In her own keynote address, the Chairperson, Bauchi Local Government, Hajiya Zainab Baban Takko said that the donated items which are supported by Alive and Thrive fhi360 will definitely increase access and strengthen the nutritional services in the catchment area.
She stressed that there is no doubt, Maternal, Infant and Young Child nutrition saves lives a supports development and greater economic prosperity.
Therefore, improving women’s and children’s diets, access to nutrition services and counselling before a during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is very critical in preventing malnutrition in the community.
According to her, “We must focus our attention on the need to integrate action, pull resources and provide all needed support to mothers in order improve maternal, infant, and Young Child nutrition across the different stages, from conception through pregnancy, period of exclusive and complementary breastfeeding in order reduce the high rate of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies in our communities.”
Zainab Baban Takko appreciated the efforts of the state Ministry of Health, Bauchi State Primary health care Development Agency, ALIVE & THRIVE and all partners supporting nutrition intervention in the state for choosing and equipping one of the facilities in Bauchi LGA (Durum PHCC) as the center of excellence and for the approaches towards accelerating the scale of maternal, Infant and Young Child nutrition in the state.
“It is really a great honor to us and we will continue to provide all necessary support to strengthen the services in the LGA and the state at large,” she stressed.
The Chairperson called the attention of the service providers of Durum PHC, Ward Development committee, traditional and religious leaders of Durum ward to mobilize community to access the services and ensure effective and maximum utilization of these items /equipment for the benefit of our people.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
