Princess Kelechi
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has announced an additional $500,000 donation to improve Primary Health Care in Borno and Yobe states.
The UN agency said the fund will support the implementation of the Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the States .
UNICEF also handed over essential medicines worth $438,972 to the governments of states, as part of efforts to improve maternal, neonatal and child survival and health outcomes in conflict-affected communities in north-east Nigeria.
According to UNICEF in a statement on Wednesday, women and children have fir 13 years, paid the highest cost of the conflict in north-east Nigeria. It disclosed that in 2020, each day of conflict claimed the lives of 170 children from direct and indirect causes, and reduced access to health services.
“A quarter of health facilities in north-east Nigeria have been destroyed or are non-functional, while a shortage of health workers and essential drugs has impeded the delivery of quality health services to pregnant women, newborns and children. The conflict has contributed to disease outbreaks and worsening child malnutrition in the region,” the statement read.
The stamen quoted Phuong Nguyen, UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office saying, “We are laying the foundation for optimum wellbeing for thousands of children born and yet to be born.”
“With this intervention, pregnant women in Yobe and Borno States will be able to access primary healthcare facilities in their communities and receive essential drugs, tests and basic medical support in primary healthcare facilities close to their homes.”
“Among the drugs being handed over are antimalarials, analgesics, antibiotics and other drugs and equipment. These medicines will help ensure that newborns and other children under the age of five receive protection from malaria, cholera, diarrhoea and other deadly childhood diseases,” the statement added.