The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria-Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Tuesday, reaffirmed UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to supporting Bauchi state in advancing primary health care systems and saving children’s lives.
Speaking at the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Annual Retreat 2024 themed: “Towards Achieving Sustainable Primary Health Care Financing in Bauchi state,” held in Gombe, Tuesday, the UNICEF chief applauded the state’s partnership and progress while highlighting critical health challenges requiring urgent attention.
She appreciated Governor Bala Mohammed for his continued partnership and timely fulfillment of the state’s co-financing arrangement to the PHC MOU basket, underscoring its alignment with the Federal Ministry of Health’s Sector Wide Approach (SWAp).
SWAp is a critical strategy under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which pools resources to provide quality, basic health care services for Nigerians.
Dr. Rafique acknowledgied improvements in the reduction of under-five mortality rates from 147 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 125 per 1,000 in 2023, UNICEF raised concerns about lingering issues: “Zero Dose Children: 13 out of 20 LGAs still record zero-dose children. High Home Deliveries: 68.9% of births still occur at home, increasing risks to mothers and newborns, rising neonatal mortality: Neonatal deaths surged from 38 to 48 per 1,000 live births, driven by preventable causes such as prematurity, birth complications, and infections.
The Chief of Field Office stated the urgency of accelerating targeted, evidence-based interventions to reverse the trends and save lives. Key recommendations include improved planning and alignment of efforts to optimise resources and community participation and involvement to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Strengthening health data collection, reporting, and usage for informed decision-making; enhanced budget oversight and accountability to ensure optimal resource utilisation; and joint monitoring and performance measurement to track and achieve desired results.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure every child survives, thrives, and transforms,” the UNICEF official stated.
He urged participants to use the retreat as a platform for resource mobilisation, collaboration, and strategic planning to address zero-dose burdens, improve immunisation coverage, and halt preventable neonatal deaths.
The retreat concluded with a resounding call for stronger partnerships between the government, development partners, and communities to deliver sustainable and quality primary health care in Bauchi state.
