By Ndahi Marama

MAIDUGURI — THE District Head of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State,  Alhaji Abba Kyari Umar, and his subjects have commended the state government in its efforts towards fighting the six killer diseases in Borno State.

They also tasked the Borno State government under Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to embark on people-oriented projects which could impact positively on the lives of younger ones who would be leaders of tomorrow.

The traditional ruler  spoke to Vanguard weekend during the flagging-off campaign of Maternal and New Born Child Health Week, MNBCHW,  in Monguno Town.

Represented by the Village Head, Mallam Sheriff Lawanbe, the traditional ruler said UNICEF in its selected health interventions such as immunization programmes, ante-natal care, distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets, vitamin A supplement, de-worming, growth monitoring and messages on key household care practices among others had assisted in reducing cases of the dreaded diseases such as malaria, polio virus and maternal mortality in the country.

He said even before the MNBCHW, he had enlightened his subjects on the importance of availing themselves and their new born babies of immunisation, pointing out that he was so impressed for the turn out of people.

He said: “I am very happy for the turn out of  people. UNICEF, this time, has not only provided us with vaccines, but have also gave out motivational materials such as mama kits, soap, sweet and other items which have really attracted a lot of people to participate in the programme.

“The only advice is for the Borno State government to provide us with other incentives such as portable drinking water, among others,” he said.
Director of Primary Healthcare in Monguno, Mrs. Udzanggeri Baba Thliza, in her remarks, expressed satisfaction with the response of women and children during the exercise, even as she attributed it to the aggressive awareness by the health team as well as the plus provided by UNICEF.

Baba Thliza said the target of UNICEF was to completely eliminate maternal mortality, and that was why the campaign was on, adding the good gesture needed collectivity so that the skills of the executors of the programme must constantly be improved for healthy socio-economic development.