The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Kaduna State Government for improved primary health care delivery, to improve the health and nutrition well-being of women and children.
UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, made the commendation during a working visit to Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) on Thursday.
According to her, Kaduna State has reasonable infrastructure and human resources in the primary health care delivery system that can significantly impact the health and nutrition status of women and children.
Munduate said that UNICEF would support in addressing some of the challenges in primary health care, especially in political wards at local government level.
This, according to her, will ensure that children are immunised and women receive vitamin ‘A’.
She reiterated UNICEF’s continued support towards improving children’s health and nutrition through optimal breastfeeding practices by mothers and increase access to quality healthcare services.
She added that UNICEF would continue to support Kaduna State implements policies and programmes that would promote healthy growth and development of children in the state.
“UNICEF will continue to provide financial support, technical assistance, and provision of medical supplies, particularly Vitamin A and E. Vitamin A supplement is very important in the prevention of anaemia among pregnant women, children, and adolescent girls.
“Children with critical nutrition conditions will be addressed by ensuring that they receive ready-to-use therapeutic food and mothers learn how to optimally feed their children.
“UNICEF support will include other actions for prevention of diseases and other benefits that will impact on the development of the children, women and adolescents,” she said.
The Country Representative commended the PBC for the provision of creche to enable working mothers to adequately breastfeed their infant and young babies during working hours.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, PBC, Malam Bashir Muhammad, thanked UNICEF for the continued support in food and nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, child protection and other services.
Muhammad, who is also the Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, said that the committee was working to ensure that other ministries, departments, and agencies established creches.
This, according to him, will enable working mothers to adequately breastfeed their babies without challenge while at work.
He appealed for continued support for healthy growth and development of children that would guarantee the needed human capital development in the state.
The UNICEF Country Representative and her entourage were taken round the creche facility in PBC to appreciate the commission’s commitment to supporting working mothers to breastfeed.
(NAN)
