The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said it is partnering with the Kaduna State Government to equip 23 Primary Health Centres in the state.
LEADERSHIP reports that the project slowed down in previous years due to insecurity, but the foundation said its team met with Governor Uba Sani last week and agreed to commence the project now that the state is relatively peaceful.
Speaking at a round table discussion with African journalists at the 2024 Goal Keepers event, which is part of activities in the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), the African Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Paulin Basinga, said their efforts are to equip the health centres in each of the local governments since they will be closer to the people’s access.
Basinga said health is very important, adding that if they can fix one good primary health care centre in each of the 23 local governments in Kaduna state, it will help save children and pregnant women from dying.
“We are partnering with the Kaduna State government to equip 23 primary health care centres. We will have one good facility in each of the LGs. This will go a long way in saving lives,” Basinga said.
Basinga who said the foundation will be 25 years old next year, added that they aim to support the Millennium Development Goals by ensuring that children grow by getting the right nutrients.
“Stunted children can’t grow smart. They are the same people who easily take arms because their brains may not work or think well. In this digital era, our children need the right nutrients to adapt to technology and be productive.
“So, the solution is the production of food, not just about increasing production of food, but foods with the right nutrients that’s why we are encouraging GMO foods because they contain the right nutrients,” Basinga said.
Basinga urged governments at all levels and philanthropists, especially, to partner with their team and contribute to the Child Malnutrition Fund set up by the foundation.
“UNICEF has put in money. We need more funds to fight the scourge of starvation and malnutrition in children and pregnant women,” he added.
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