The Kano State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has planned to reach 2.6 million children between 6-59 months and about 500,000 pregnant women with adequate quantities of Vitamin A supplements and multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in the state.
Speaking during the launch of the first round of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) programme at Burji Primary Health Centre in Madobi local government area recently, the Chief of UNICEF field Office, Mr Rahama Farah, said the number represents 80 percent of the targeted population.
According to him, with a population of over 17 million people and approximately 3.5 million under five children, and 900,000 pregnant women, the state is strategically important in all issues of children and women’s rights.
He praised the state government for the continuous support in the areas of Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through consistent release of funds, quality service delivery and a strong enabling environment.
He urged the state government to ensure the implementation of the second round of MNCHW to ensure a healthy populace.
While urging residents to utilise the MNCH Week to enhance routine immunisation coverage, with a particular focus on Penta, polio, HPV, and Td vaccines, he maintained that UNICEF would continue to partner with the state and work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes targeting women and children.
Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, was represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing quality healthcare delivery for citizens, especially women and children.
He said part of the effort include the commencement of the monthly distribution of 6,000 delivery packs and 500 cesarian section packages, mosquito nets and the provision of about 30,000 doses of ANC drugs, among others, to pregnant women to prevent anemia, malaria and maternal and infant mortality in the state.
