Integrated campaign to boost health of 1m children, women in Gombe

The Gombe State government in collaboration with the Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has inaugurated the National Immunisation Plus Days campaign in the state.

The integrated campaign is targeting 1, 046, 553 beneficiaries, comprising 832, 427 children for vaccination against polio and 214,126 pregnant women to be provided multiple micronutrient supplements.

Mr Manassah Jatau, the state’s Deputy Governor while inaugurating the campaign on Friday in Swa community in Balanga LGA of Gombe State said the event also marked the launch of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW).

Jatau who was represented by Dr Ahmed Kashere, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Gombe State Primary HealthCare Development Agency described the campaign as crucial towards protecting the health of children and expectant mothers.

He said that the integrated campaign would ensure that children were protected from diseases that threaten their lives.

“This campaign targets 832,427 eligible children and pregnant mothers across 11 LGAs, focusing on polio vaccination for children under five.

“It will ensure vitamin A supplementation for 770,852 children aged 6-59 months, to boost their immune system and prevent night blindness

“Deworming for children aged 12-59 months, to improve their nutritional status and reduce the burden of worm infestation would also be part of the campaign.

“During the exercise, malnutrition screening for children aged 6-59 months, to identify and manage malnutrition early would be carried out.

“Multiple micronutrient supplements would be provided for 214,126 pregnant women, to ensure they have the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy,” he said.

According to him, Sulphadoxine pyrimethamine will be provided for pregnant women, to prevent malaria and its complications.

Jatau stated that the campaign would also feature health education on key household practices, to empower communities across the state with knowledge on healthy living.

He urged all stakeholders, community members, and well-meaning individuals to support the campaign, towards protecting children, pregnant women, while promoting healthy practices in communities.

The deputy governor commended development partners for their continued support and commitment to improving health outcomes in the state while also appreciating community leaders and health workers for their contributions.

Mr Haruna Gambo, the Zonal Technical Officer, National Primary HealthCare Development Agency restated the commitment of the Federal Government to the wellbeing of children and mothers across the state and country.

Gambo said that the collaborative approach through the integrated campaign would strengthen the immunisation system towards improving the health of communities.

In her remarks, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief UNICEF Bauchi Field Office said that the earlier campaign in the year recorded remarkable success, reaching thousands of children.

Rafique said that the success of the earlier campaign demonstrated what is possible when governments, communities, health workers, and partners unite behind a common goal.

She stated that immunisation remained one of the most powerful tools to protecting children from life-threatening, yet entirely preventable, diseases.

“In Gombe State, the immunisation campaign is being integrated with the MNCHW to ensure that more children and mothers are reached with essential health services.

“As part of our support, UNICEF has provided over 20,000 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.

“We have also provided over 700,000 doses of Vitamin A to boost the immunity of children and keep them healthy,” she said.

While thanking all donors and governments at all levels, Rafique called on parents, caregivers, community leaders, and partners across all sectors to “help ensure that no child is missed.”

Mothers who came out en masse with their children told our Correspondent that they were appreciative of the government and development partners’ efforts at offering them free vaccines and supplements.

According to them, mothers and their children in their community no longer fall ill as they used to since they embraced health initiatives from the government and donor partners.

Integrated campaign to boost health of 1m children, women in Gombe