Maternal, child health take centre-stage in Borno

By  Ndahi Marama
SHORTLY after the flag-off of the “Maternal and New Born Child Health Week (MNBCHW)” in Borno State, the impact is already noticeable. Already in some local government areas of the State, there is massive response from women and aged 5-6 years.

In Monguno LGA, at the  flag –off on 19th June, 2010 at the Family Support Programme (FSP) Clinic opposite the District Head of Monguno Palace, Alhaji Abba Kyari Umar of Ajari ward, Supervisor of Ajari ward Mrs. Aisa Lawan said this year’s immunisation programme is unique, noting that  UNICEF had provided enough injectable vaccines against measles, tetanus,  hepatitis B, yellow fever, DPT, among others.

Motivational materials also helped in boosting  the high turnout of parents who came forward with their children to participate in the exercise.

Lawan also attributed the massive response to the level of awareness and mobilsation by traditional rulers and the health team in the local government.

The Director at the local government Primary Health Care centre, Mrs. Udzanggeri Baba Thliza applauded UNICEF, the traditional rulers and the health officials for their dedication to duty, but enumerated  challenges such as  lack of logistics and financing.

At the Goni- Yahaya street, immunisation staff expressed satisfaction with the response from the residents, but stressed that in most households visited, there were complaints of lack of drinking water, even though, they accepted the vaccines and other incentives given to them.

At Chasala Ward, the supervisor, Mrs. Emty Bukar said the difference from  normal clinic days was clear. “A lot of people are responding positively, this time around, there are surplus incentives which attracts massive turn out of people to participate in the exercise”

District Head of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno state Alhaji Abba Kyari Umar and his subjects have commended the collaborative  effort of fighting the six – killer diseases which are so rampant in Nigeria , particularly in Borno State.

Borno State government under Governor Ali Modu Sheriff  was tasked to embark on people-oriented projects that would impact positively the community. The traditional ruler spoke during the flag–off campaign in Monguno Town .

Represented by the Village Head, Mallam Sheriff Lawanbe, Umar said UNICEF in its selected health interventions  had assisted in reducing the cases of the dreaded diseases and ultimately infant and child mortality  in the country.

He noted that even before the MNBCHW, he had already enlightened his subjects on the importance of availing  their new born babies to be immunised.

“I am very happy for the turn out of people, UNICEF this time has not only provide us with vaccines, but they have also gave out motivational materials. The only advice is for Borno state government to provide us with other incentives such as portable drinking water among others”. He pleaded.

Responding in a telephone call, Acting Chairman of the Council who is also the Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Halidu Mari stated that the council is really appreciative to UNICEF, and that his council will not relent to ensure that it mobilized its people to benefit from the good gesture, even as he said that one of the problem facing the council is lack of fund to compliment this gesture, and is really affecting the Council, even as he said, the council has provided some of the staff with vehicles to reach other villages and towns, and appealed to the people and UNICEF to continue partner.