By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Kano state government, has provided adequate quantities of Vitamin A supplements and MMS for the first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week to reach over 2.6 million children 6-59 months and about 500,000 pregnant women, representing 80 per cent of the target populations.
The Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, disclosed this during the flag-off of the
1st Round of 2025 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week and Other Health Sector Interventions, held at Burji Primary Health Centre in Madobi Local Government Area.
According to him, Kano State has continued to demonstrate exemplary leadership in the areas of Health, Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through consistent funds release, quality service delivery and a strong enabling environment.
Rahama said with a population of over 17 million people and approximately 3.5 million under-5 children, and 900,000 pregnant women, Kano is strategically important in all issues of children’s and women’s rights.
He further stated that the implementation of two rounds of MNCHW in Kano State for the provision of Vitamin A supplementation, Deworming, Anti-Malaria and Immunisation to children as well as Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) to pregnant women will ensure a healthy populace among the target groups.
“UNICEF defines child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood.
“This is measured using the UNICEF and WHO dietary diversity score, deliberately focusing on early childhood (children under 5 years of age) because it is a period of uniquely high nutritional requirements and the most sensitive period for physical growth and brain development for all children, both in times of stability and crisis.
“Around 11 million children or one in every three children under five years of age in Nigeria are experiencing severe child food poverty, making them up to 50 per cent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition. In Kano State, 51.9% (one out of two) of Kano’s children are stunted or are not growing well, while over 10% are wasted or too thin for their height,” he added.
Rahama maintained that UNICEF will continue to partner with Kano state and work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes in Kano state, especially targeting women and children.
He said: “We encourage everyone to benefit from MNCH Week to enhance routine immunization coverage, with a particular focus on Penta, polio, HPV, and Td vaccines.
“UNICEF will continue to partner with the Kano state government to implement programmes that improve the health and nutrition situation of women and children in the State.
“I hereby request His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, to invest and allocate more resources in 2025, and UNICEF will also match and procure more commodities, especially RUTF and MMS, through the CNF.
“Conduct the second round of MNCHW not later than early December 2025 and procure deworming tablets in sufficient quantities to reach all children between 12-59 months in the state.
“Considering increasing the days of paid maternity leave in the state to protect maternal and infant health and support exclusive breastfeeding.
“Invest in expanding healthcare workforce capacity to enable round-the-clock service delivery in underserved rural communities.”
Kano Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, emphasised the administration’s unwavering commitment to revitalising the health sector across the state. He stated that the government has prioritised health as a critical pillar of its developmental agenda, ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to every citizen, especially women and children.
“Every month, this administration distributes 6,000 packs of delivery kits and 500 caesarean section (CS) kits across our healthcare facilities. In addition, we have ensured the regular supply of accident and emergency commodities, as well as essential cleaning and cleansing items to maintain hygiene and enhance service delivery,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, extended his appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his steadfast support and commitment to the health sector.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s resolve to actualise the Governor’s vision of giving the health system a befitting and sustainable structure.
The event witnessed the attendance of several key stakeholders and dignitaries, including the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, who serves as the custodian of health facilities in the state; Executive Secretary of KHETFUND, Dr. Fatima Zahradeen; Director General of the Kano Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Dr. Usman Bashir; and Director General of the State Primary Health Care Management Board (SPHCMB), Prof. Salisu Ahmed.
Development partners, healthcare professionals, traditional leaders, and members of the community also graced the occasion, reaffirming their support for the state government’s efforts in improving maternal, newborn, and child health indicators.
The flag-off marks the beginning of a week-long series of healthcare interventions targeting maternal and child wellbeing, including immunisation, antenatal care, nutrition, deworming, and health education services across all local government areas of the state.
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