UNICEF moves against maternal, child mortalities in Adamawa

WORRIED by the rising cases of maternal and newborn deaths in Adamawa State, the D-Field Office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Bauchi has moved to tackle the health challenge.As part of the strategic efforts at reducing the death of women and children under five years of age, UNICEF has embarked on massive immunisation of children, distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated nets, vitamin (A) supplementation, as well as dissemination of messages on key household care practices like breast-feeding, complementary feeding and hand-washing.The Acting Director, Primary Health Care for Numan Local Council, Mrs. Glory Pwada, told The Guardian that the UNICEF programme witnessed high response from parents and guardians in the council.She urged the government of Adamawa State to integrate the programme in its policy, pointing out that donor agencies alone cannot sustain the battle against women and children-related diseases unless the government, private sector and individuals complement the efforts of UNICEF.The Numan Council Focal Person for Bamako Ward, Mrs. Cecilia Audu, told The Guardianthat the exercise would reduce the yearly death cases of women and children in the state.She called on the Adamawa State House of Assembly to enact a law that can compel the governmentto set aside some amount of its monthly Federal Allocations to fight the maternal and newborn death and related diseases.The Chief Immunisation Official for Numan Council, Mrs. AsalinaAjiboye, said the free distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated nets attracted majority of the women to participate in the UNICEF organised programme.Ajiboye maintained that the programme would boost the economy of the country through preservation of manpower.Other women, who spoke with The Guardian, commended UNICEF for organising the programme, urging the government to build on the foundation laid by the global agency in order to sustain the programme.According to Mrs. Esther Peter, the programme has checked the health crisis facing women and children in the state. She called on UNICEF to continue with the programme to ensure that Nigerian women and children survive.A cross-section of nursing mothers and pregnant women, as well as health workers, urged the Adamawa State government and UNICEF to draw a synergy aimed at integrating and sustaining maternal and child health interventions in the state.
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