United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a free healthcare initiative for children and pregnant women in a bid to reduce child mortality and improve healthcare outcomes in Gombe State.
While inspecting the exercise at one of the centres at the Gombe Township Maternity Clinic, chief of field office for UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi, Dr Nuzhat Rafique explained that the programme which takes place twice a year, provides free vaccinations to infants, free drugs for pregnant women, and free delivery kits to those in their third trimester.
She added that the initiative is part of UNICEF’s nationwide efforts to improve healthcare for children and nursing mothers, noting that the beneficiaries also received micro-nutrition supplies, vitamin A, and gave incentives for health workers.
Dr Rafique asked pregnant women to avail themselves at facilities across the state with a view to benefiting from the gesture and recording safe delivery.
Also, the deputy facility manager of the Gombe Township Maternity Clinic, Harira Musa, noted that within the week-long programme, they provided several health services including antenatal care, delivery and immunisation to children.
She noted that UNICEF support has been well-received by the community with a significant turnout of pregnant women and nursing mothers.
“The organisation’s efforts are crucial in addressing the healthcare challenges faced by women and children in Gombe State,” she stated.
According to a routine immunisation officer at the facility, Safiya Mohammed, children should receive vaccinations from birth to 24 months to be fully immunised.
“We educate mothers on the importance of vaccination and when they should bring their children for immunisation,” she explained.
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