Health
By Shuaibu Tatu
Dalinja (Kebbi State), July 24, 2018 (NAN) The Kebbi State Government in collaboration with European Union (EU), United Nations Child’s Fund (UNICEF) and other international donors have commenced the Maternal New-born and Child Health Week in Kebbi state.
The ceremony which took place on Tuesday at the Dalijan village, Gwandu local Government area of the state aims to promote the healthcare service system in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also witnessed the inauguration of the Dalijan Primary Healthcare Center in the state.
The Chief of Health of UNICEF, Dr Sanjana Bhardwaj while speaking at the ceremony, commended the State government for proper use of funds given to them on health issues.
Bhardwaj said UNICEF would continue to partner with Kebbi State Government as it had achieved a lot on the health care system in the State.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu who was represented by his Deputy, Samaila Yombe said that the present administration was committed to qualitative healthcare delivery to residents of the state.
He said that the state government had increased the budget provision for the health sector and revamping of the healthcare delivery service system in the state.
“We have demonstrated through renovation and equipping of healthcare facilities across the state and enhancement of Doctors remuneration,”he added.
He commended the EU-UNICEF for the MNCH project which has been supporting high impact programme in the areas of Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition that are aimed at addressing preventable maternal and child deaths in the state.
In his remarks, the Minister of Counsellor and Head of Cooperation of the EU delegation to Nigeria Mr Kurt Cornelis, expressed satisfaction with the level of performance on ground and urged the state government to put more efforts on promoting healthcare system.
He also emphasised more budgetary provisions for the health sector, in order to curb the maternal mortality, eradication of polio and other five killer diseases in the state.
Representative of WHO, Dr Andrew Mbewe, said they were in the state to see how far the state had gone on the implementation of the funds released to them.
He also explained that WHO has been assisting the state in the areas of malaria, nutrition, polio and other related health cases, adding that this has produced positive results.
Also in her remarks, the Wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Abubakar Bagudu thanked members of the donor agencies for their assessment tour and support to the state government. (NAN)
SZT/MUYI/MTM
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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Tukur Muntari.