Borno partners WHO to establish 488 healthcare facilities for effective services
Story from Usman UMAR
The Borno State Government has established 488 locations across the state for healthcare services during the initial phase of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MMCHW).
The project is being carried out in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The director of the Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Professor
Mohammed Arab, officially kicked off the week during a ceremony at the Mala Kachallah Primary Healthcare Centre in Maiduguri on Monday.
During his address at the event, Mr. Arab mentioned that the sites were spread out across all 27 local government areas in the state.
He highlighted that the main goal of the health week was to speed up the delivery of essential interventions that could help lower maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates.
The SPHCDA leader also emphasized the efforts being made to strengthen routine healthcare services.
“It is a semi-annual campaign that takes place in the first 6 months (Round 1) and the second 6 months (Round 2) of the year respectively.
“This Round 1 activity for this year will run for five consecutive days from June 10th to 14th,” he stated.
Mr. Arab listed services that would be offered during the week to include antenatal care, deworming, HIV testing and counseling, vitamin A supplements, health education, immunisations, and birth registration.
“In addition, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and long-lasting insecticide nets will be distributed, along with iron folate for pregnant women,” Mr. Arab said.
He explained that nutrition screening would also be conducted to identify and address severe malnutrition in children early on.
“Undernutrition is a major factor in child mortality, contributing to over 60% of diarrhea deaths, 57% of malaria deaths, and 52% of pneumonia deaths.
The state health commissioner, Professor Baba Mallam, stressed that the MNCHW was not meant to replace regular health activities but to complement and enhance current efforts to provide top-notch healthcare services.
“These interventions aim to significantly expand the range of preventive and curative services, ensuring that we meet the healthcare needs of mothers and children effectively and efficiently.
“This initiative provides a valuable opportunity for women and children to access vital healthcare services at no cost at their nearest health facility.
“The significance of this week cannot be overstated, it signifies a concentrated effort to provide interventions that can save lives and enhance health outcomes,” Mr. Mallam remarked.
Speaking on behalf of WHO and other partners, the public health officer of the Maiduguri office, Dr. Aisha Kadai, urged all stakeholders to view the week as a chance to increase coverage and enhance services throughout Borno.
Ms. Kadai mentioned that WHO had mobilised human resources to support outreach efforts in hard-to-reach areas, as well as medical and pharmaceutical supplies to address any shortages in required commodities for the initial round of activities.
“WHO is collaborating with Borno SPHCDA to prioritise maternal, newborn, and child health.
“These activities are crucial in achieving the state’s 25-year Development Framework, the 10-year Strategic Transformation Plan, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Ms. Kadai concluded.
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