By Lizzy Carr
UNICEF Field Office Bauchi had supported Bauchi State government with 45 motorcycles to enhance the delivery of reproductive and maternal health services in hard to reach communities.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, presented the motorcycles Monday to the state commissioner of Health and Social Welfare Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam in Bauchi.
Dr Nuhzat Rafique said the initiative targets hard-to-reach areas where vulnerable populations face barriers to accessing healthcare, stressing that the intervention is designed to reach the last child.
“The purpose is to reach the last child. As you know, UNICEF is working for the most vulnerable, and the most vulnerable are those at the end of the LGAs in very remote areas facing financial and access barriers. And if it is not possible for them to reach us, we have to reach them. So these motorcycles are means of transport to all LGAs in Bauchi for them to reach these children, mothers and newborns”.
The chief of UNICEF Field office Bauchi said there are thousands of zero-dose children who have never received any vaccine, and mothers who have never received any antenatal care, especially among adolescents girls.
“As we know girls marry in the state at an early age which is not good for their health and social development. we need to increase the age of marriage as well as for those who are already married there is need to provide them with health services so they can give birth to healthy children and they too can also survive.”.
Dr Nuhzat Rafique who said Maternal and newborn mortality is one of the highest in Nigeria and especially in Northeast requested for a comprehensive approach to reach every child, every mother in the most deprived area to save their lives and to realize their right to health and services
“If they cannot reach us, we must reach them,” she said, highlighting concerns over high maternal and newborn mortality rates in the Northeast.
Each of the twenty local government areas will get a minimum of two motorcycles.
UNICEF Health Specialist, Seyi Olosunde, explained that the motorcycles will support integrated outreach, with immunization teams accompanied by nurses and community midwives to deliver broader healthcare services during field visits.
“Presently, in Bauchi, uptake of institutional delivery is very low, and neonatal care at least is very low. So we are hoping that this intervention, this investment, will contribute to piggybacking on immunization for increase and improvement in coverage “.
He noted that immunization is the entry point to delivering integrated primary healthcare services noting that though the state is struggling to improve its immunization much has been achieved.
” We are using some of the improvements to improve some other indicators, particularly indicators that have to do with maternal, newborn, and child health.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, who commended the partners for the intervention, said the donation would strengthen healthcare delivery in remote communities, particularly through increased awareness on the benefits of antenatal care, routine immunization, and hospital-based deliveries.
Permanent secretary Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board Samaila Liman urged the heads of benefitting PHCs to be accountable and use the motorcycles for the purpose there are meant for.
