By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over essential medical supplies worth over USD$246,590 to the Borno State Government to improve the quality of care available in health facilities across the state.
The UN agency also pledged to hand over a newly built primary health care center and supplies worth over $15,000 already installed at the Hajj Camp Clinic to strengthen healthcare delivery for children and adults affected by conflict. ”
UNICEF Chief of Field Office Maiduguri, Borno State, Phuong T. Nguyen stated this on Thursday in Maiduguri at the handing over ceremony of the essential medical equipment a and kits held at the Borno Central Stores
Ms. Nguyen said that the 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.
Medical equipment donated by UNICEF to Borno State GovernmentAccording to her, women and children have paid the highest cost of armed conflict in north-east Nigeria, pointing out that, 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.
She added that the protracted conflict has continued to contribute to disease outbreaks and maternal and child mortality rates, including child malnutrition in north-east Nigeria, stressing that, a quarter of health facilities in north-east Nigeria have been destroyed or are non-functional, while a shortage of health workers and essential equipment and drugs has impeded the delivery of quality health services to pregnant women, newborns and children.
Medical equipment donated by UNICEF to Borno State GovernmentNguyen noted also that with this intervention, UNICEF is supplementing efforts of the Borno State Government in the health sector and addressing the gaps to ensure that the most disadvantaged children and women have a chance of survival, enjoy good health and fulfill their potential.
The Chief of Field Office explained further that 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 health care facilities located in their communities.
Medical equipment donated by UNICEF to Borno State GovernmentShe maintained also that the intervention will strengthen the capacity of health workers in Borno State to respond to the health needs of women and children while UNICEF will continue to work with Governments across the north-east to ensure the survival and wellbeing of women and children.
“This support is in addition to other essential health and nutrition services UNICEF and donors is providing to conflict-affected women and children through the government and other partners.
“This intervention is in line with UNICEF’s commitment to the implementation of the Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding with the Borno State Government.
“In 2022, UNICEF, through the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency, supported the Borno State Government with essential drugs worth over $USD 250,000,” Nguyen said.
Leave a Reply