UNICEF’s Executive Director Ann Veneman has visited the Kebbi and Sokoto states in northern Nigeria where she pledged $1.85 million in additional support for Unicef’s nutrition programs.
The newly allocated funds will be used to scale up integrated community-based nutrition stations where families can bring their children for preventive and curative assistance, she said.
“Lack of essential health services, malnutrition, inadequate access to clean water and basic sanitation contribute to high rates of child mortality,” Veneman said.
“Through close cooperation among the government of Nigeria, religious and traditional leaders, there is hope.”
Veneman,who concluded a visit to the north on Monday participated in the launch of the first ever National Child Health Week in Nigeria which will provide life saving immunizations and basic health interventions, to mothers and children.
She also participated in the distribution of insecticide treated nets to women to prevent mosquito bites which could lead to malaria.
Malaria is the number one killer of children under the age of five in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, but the country is on track to achieve universal coverage of bed-nets by 2010.
She met with traditional and religious leaders who play a vital role in educating and guiding communities on health-care practices.
She told them that , “sustainable community-based approaches are essential for successful outcomes and government officials, health workers and traditional and religious leaders are working closely together to accelerate progress’’.
Stressing that knowledge is key, she said: “If communities understand the importance of basic hygiene, including clean water, proper sanitation, hand-washing with soap, sleeping under an insecticide treated bed-net, immunizations, and proper nutrition including breast-feeding, child deaths can be reduced and girls and boys can be given a healthier start in life.”
Discussions with the government and faith-based leaders also focused on the need to eradicate polio.
Nigeria is one of only four polio endemic countries in the world and the only endemic country in Africa.
Veneman also announced the allocation of more than $5 million to resources for polio eradication in Nigeria.
Source African Press Agency
