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Tag: United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)

  • UNICEF expands social policy scope in Nigeria

    The United Nations Children Fund ( UNICEF ) says it is expanding its social policy scope in Nigeria to include public finance for better result.

    Mr Hamidou Poufon, the UNICEF Chief Social Policy Officer in Nigeria, disclosed this while speaking at a Workshop on Public Finance for Children in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the workshop is organized for staff of UNICEF Regional offices in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria among others.

    Poufon said the organization was also decentralizing its operations for effective performance.

    “In the past four years, UNICEF Nigeria Social Policy work has largely focused on bringing Federal and State government attention to the growing momentum on social protection.

    “This is in line with globally recognized strategy for poverty reduction, equality and social inclusion.

    “This occurs alongside similar efforts to bridge the evidence and knowledge gaps on child poverty and disparities.

    “With considerable advancement in the area of social protection, Nigeria Country Office is expanding its social policy scope to sufficiently include public finance and decentralization/local governance.

    “This is coinciding with the launch of a new country programmed for 2018 -2022.

    “Over the past decade, a government investment in child-related social sector in Nigeria has stagnated,’’ he said.

    Poufon said Nigeria’s annual spending in social sector had witnessed rapid decline in recent times.

    “Total spending on education revolves around 5 per cent of national budget spending, against an international commitment of 20 per cent of national budget.

    Read Also: UNICEF holds education conference for north leaders

    “Health spending decreased tendentiously from x toy per cent around 10 per cent in the region, against an African commitment (Abuja agreement) of at least, 15 per cent of the national budget.’’

    Poufon, however, said Nigeria ought to have utilized its huge oil income on enhancing the living condition of the people, especially children.

    “Nigeria, oil producing country and a middle-income economy with a strategic position as a regional powerhouse in the West Africa region, is ideally meant to use results based budgeting.

    “It is also to use a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to achieve equity and better results for its population, especially children.

    “However, Public Finance in the context of UNICEF interventions in Nigeria has remained in an embryonic stage and there is a strong need for it to be strengthened to enhance comprehensive programme delivery.

    “Furthermore, the effects of climate change on a mostly agrarian population, the on-going insurgency and volatility of security due to ethnic clashes have contributed to migration and the growing number of internally displaced persons.

    “This necessitates that a strategic response to humanitarian situations, including the preparation and implementation of a contingency plan mainstreamed in state development plans with adequate public budgeting, is adequately established.

    He said the workshop was aimed at exposing UNICEF staffers to rudiment of public finance management, to enable them makes relevant budget analysis and management.

    “It is against this background that UNICEF is holding a training workshop on public finance.

    The aim, he added was to enable those concerned to have a critical mass of UNICEF staff who could engage in political dialogue for better public spending in child sensitive social sector.

    This Poufon said would be through the design and implementation of activities ensuring consistency between sectoral strategies and budget allocations and spending.

  • UNICEF, states collaborate to reduce out-of-school children figure

    The United Nations Children Fund ( UNICEF ) is working with four states in the North to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the region.

    The organisation is implementing its Cash Transfer Programme ( CTP ) in Sokoto, Niger, Zamafara and Kebbi states to boost enrolment in schools in the region.

    Its Education Specialist, Azuka Menkiti, said the CTP, which was introduced in 2014, had increased girls enrolment by 61 per cent in Sokoto and Niger and also contributed in the retention of pupils in school.

    She disclosed these in a presentation at a two-day media dialogue on Educate a Child and CTP in Sokoto.

    Menkati, who said the 10.5 million out-of-school children figure widely quoted may be out of date as its new programme may have reduced the figures.

    UNICEF believes several intervention programmes such as the cash transfer programme ( CTP ) as well as the Department for International Development ( DFID )-sponsored Educate a Child ( EAC ) project may have altered existing data on out-of-school children, hence such figures can no longer be reliable to aid planning in the sector.

    She said there was need for a review of the figures, so as to come up with a more reliable data.

    Her observation was also recently echoed by Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who placed the number of out-of-school children at about 8.6 million.

    “The UNICEF cash transfer programme has been successful because it was targeted at addressing the economic barrier in education and we recently conducted assessment which has shown improvement in enrolment of girls children.

    “For us in making education accessible to everyone, we need to start empowering every family because poverty has become key problem hindering children from attending schools,” she said.

    She said the EAC project was aimed at increasing the quality of teaching, particularly for girls, at the basic education level, apart from expanding access to school.

    Menkiti explained that high level of poverty, which was found to hinder families from sending their children to school necessitated the CTP where cash gifts were offered to induce students to be in school.

    She noted that beyond cultural and religious factors, it was imperative for the government to mainstream girls’ education into their programmes by changing the mindset of all stakeholders towards the enrolment of girls in schools.

    “For UNICEF CTP has been successful because it was targeted at addressing the economic barriers in education and we recently conducted an assessment that has shown remarkable improvement in enrolment of girls.

    “For us, in making education accessible to everyone, we had to start empowering every family because poverty was identified to be a key problem hindering children from attending schools,” the UNICEF education expert added.

    She urged other states desirous of boosting enrolment in schools to replicate the CTP.

    Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, said the state had recorded an increase in enrolment, empowerment, and drastic reduction of street hawking among girls through the programme.

    The Sultan, represented by Sani Jabbi, District Head of Gagi, said majority of female children have embraced education.

    The monarch, who was represented by Sarkin Yakin Gagi, Sani Umar Jabbi, said the state would continue to support girl-child education by ensuring that they are enrolled in schools.

    “We will continue to struggle to the end of our lives to ensure that every girl-child is enrolled in school, complete the school, transit to secondary school ‎and complete it. We need more professionals in human resources… We need more human resource in teaching profession in Sokoto. What we have now is largely dominated by males. About 60-80 percent is male dominated and demand for human resources in education and health is needed.

    “In the rural areas we have high burden of child-maternal mortality, as a result of the community not allowing females to search for knowledge in health-related professions as a result of male domination. It means there is need for all males to support girl-child education so that we can have more human resources for females in the health and education profession. We will continue until we ensure that 50 percent female and 50 percent male‎ is achieved. But for males to be 80 percent is unacceptable.

    “The curriculum being introduced in western education is still from western imperialism and has not been adjusted. We are still strongly against mixing mature males and females in school to mingle together.‎ So that’s why it tends to limit male participation.”

    Niger State CTP Coordinator, Idris Azika, said the state had concluded arrangements to spend N193 million in the next 3years.

    Azika added that 12,911 beneficiaries would be paid in the first phase of the state owned cash transfer sustainability plan.

  • UNICEF wants CMAM to cover all LGAs in Gombe

    UNICEF wants CMAM to cover all LGAs in Gombe

    The United Nations Children Fund ( UNICEF ), Bauchi Field Office, on Monday urged the Gombe State Government to expand the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition ( CMAM ) to cover all local government areas.

    Mr Drissa Yeo, Officer-In-Charge, UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi Field Office, made the appeal in Gombe at a two-day states’ engagement plan development meeting for Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba, Plateau and Bauchi states.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UNICEF defines Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) as a proven approach to manage Severe Acute Malnutrition and Moderate Acute Malnutrition in children under five.

    The approach is presently implemented in more than 70 countries of the World.
    Presently, CMAM is being implemented in only three out of the 11 local government areas in the state; namely Gombe, Dukku and Nafada.

    “I am appealing to the Gombe Government to direct expansion of implementation of the CMAM programme from three to 11 local government areas or to at least three additional LGAs,’’ Yeo said.

    The official also called on the state government to release its counterpart fund of N248 million to support nutrition in the state.

    He said the state government should look at the possibility of releasing N10 million for the 2017/2018 annual school census and maintenance of education management information servers.

    The money, according to Yeo, is also for maintenance of facilities in the state Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ).

    He said that this was the first joint planning meeting in the state since the Federal Government and UNICEF started a new five-year programme, which is to be implemented from 2018 to 2022.

    Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr James Pisagih, said the purpose of the meeting was to enable UNICEF and other stakeholders take strategic decisions.

    Pisagih, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Duties, Alhaji Usman Shamaki, said their decisions would guide effective implementation of the new country engagement plan.

    “I therefore commend the UNICEF for its commitments in this regard,” he said.

    Pisagih however called on UNICEF, which had withdrawn its support for HIV intervention in the state, to reconsider its stance.

    He said that its support would facilitate total eradication of the scourge in the state.

    NAN

  • Nigeria children under five risk poor mental, physical devt – UNICEF 

    Nigeria children under five risk poor mental, physical devt – UNICEF 

    • As minister decried Nigeria’s rate of under-five mortality

    A new United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) report stated that more than half of Nigerian children under five risk poor development because they lack Early Childhood Development support.

    The United Nations agency therefore called for investment in early childhood development, which it described as the most sensible thing to do.

    The global report, which was launched in Abuja Tuesday, reveals that Nigeria is putting its children at risk of under-development, both physically and mentally.

    This according to the report is because critical national policies are not providing an adequate foundation for their growth.

    The report titled “Early Moments Matter for Every Child”, outlines three policies that can give parents the time and resources needed to support their young children’s healthy development.

    The recommended policies are: two years of free pre-primary education; six months of paid maternity leave; and four weeks of paid paternity leave.

    “Nigeria currently has just three months of paid maternity leave, only one year of free pre-primary education and no paternity leave at all. Only about one in every 10 pre-primary children are enrolled in early education activities”, the report states.

    The report revealed that a 2016 national survey indicated that 31% of children under the age of five are moderately or severely underweight in Nigeria.

    “Stunting as a result of malnutrition can cause irreversible physical and mental retardation. Even though exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life has clearly been shown to improve physical and mental development, the same survey revealed that only 24% of Nigerian children are exclusively breastfed for six months. Paid maternity leave will help to increase the number of children exclusively breastfed.

    In his presentation, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall said that Early Childhood Development, which includes physical and cognitive support, has a strategic place in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    “Investing in Early Childhood Development including services to support caregivers, quality pre-primary education and good nutrition will help to secure healthy and productive future generations in Nigeria,” he noted.

    “Also, supporting exclusive breastfeeding, having good Early Childhood Development policies in place will help to improve the overall health and nutrition of a child, enable parents and caregivers to be more responsive to children’s needs and provide greater safety and security.”

    Speaking at the launch of the report, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole   posited that the under-five mortality rate is still unacceptably high.
    To address the situation, Adewole said that the Federal Ministry of Health is revising all the existing Policies and Strategic plans on Maternal Newborn and Child health in line with the   Global Strategy on Women, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

    He stressed that the first portal of entry for Early Childhood development is Health.

    He said: “As you are aware, the under-five mortality rate is still unacceptably high in this country largely due to high newborn deaths but we have made some significant progress. The under-five mortality declined from 201/1000 live births NDHS 2003 to 128/1000 live births NDHS 2013.

    “The first portal of entry for Early Childhood development is Health.  It is based on this notion that the Federal Ministry of Health is revising all the existing Policies and Strategic plans on Maternal Newborn and Child health in line with the   Global Strategy on Women, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. These policies include the National Health Policy, Reproductive Health Policy, Child Health Policy and Infant and Young Child feeding. Furthermore, several strategic plans focusing on early Childhood development are in place; Integrated Maternal Newborn, Child Health Strategy, Nigeria Every Newborn and Action Plan and the National Strategy on Scale up of 4 %.

    On his part, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director, Nigeria said, “The World Bank Group is committed to supporting the effort of the government of Nigeria in ensuring that every Nigerian child reaches his or her potential.  This potential can be achieved by addressing the problem of inequality at birth and responding to the welfare rights of every child to access adequate nutrition, live in safe and secure environments and access to stimulation and learning opportunities.”

  • ‘Nigeria records 58,000 maternal mortality’

    ‘Nigeria records 58,000 maternal mortality’

    A joint report by World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nation Population Fund ( UNFPA ), United Nations Children Fund ( UNICEF ) and World Bank has said Nigeria recorded 58,000 maternal mortality in 2015.

    The report was presented by Dr Olusola Odujinrin at the 2017 Annual Faculty Day Lecture by the Faculty of Public Health and Community Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

    The conference with the theme “Transition in Global Health Paradigms: What Hope for the Nigerian Women and Children?”, was held at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital ( LASUTH ), Ikeja.

    The guest lecturer, Odujinrin said it was rather alarming to see Nigeria down the ladder of the Millennium Development Goals ( MDGs ) in spite of the abundance of its economic strength.

    She identified the factors that contributed to the Maternal Mortality Rate ( MMR )as flawed government policies, education, culture, religion among others.

    “It is most unfortunate that we are at this level of needless death as recorded by the international agencies where Nigerian women lost their lives to pregnancy and child related causes.

    “The factors that contribute to this are diverse including education, culture, religion and lack of access to skilled health workers and necessary drugs.

    “The prevalence also depend on several factors, including living in an urban or rural area, socio-economic status and geo-political zone.

    “The most worrisome is the report from North-East where MMR is highest: 1,549/100,000 live births in comparison to the South-West zone where 165/100,000 was recorded,” she said.

    Odujinrin said the MMR statistics from Nigeria needed to be given immediate attention, warning that the country might be on the brink.

    “Currently, Nigeria has the second highest burden of maternal mortality in the world, and contributes about 15 per cent of the annual total global deaths which represent two per cent of the global population.

    “The progress in reducing maternal ratio has been to slow. According to the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey ( NDHS ) reports for 2008 and 2013, Nigeria achieved practically no reduction in MMR.

    “Lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes according to NDHS reports also showed practically no change in the year under review.

    “With this we all need to join the vanguard in making Nigerian women life a meaning if we don’t want to be on the brink,” she said.

    Odujinrin said poor medical facilities in Nigeria was a hindrance to the attainment of the MDG Project, adding that the country’s policy makers needed to “roll up their sleeves.”

    “The overall contributions of poor quality of health services to the huge burden of MMR in Nigeria, as revealed in the various situation analyses and assessment is alarming.

    “There is a need to tackle the huge challenges and perform better in the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) in relation to MMR under Goal 3.

    “It is imperative that we have a national focus in providing quality health care facilities and our efforts be dedicated to ensuring high quality of care to our mothers and children.

    “It is not that we are bereft of ideas, but we lack political will and financial commitment enough to tackle this menance. No amount is too much for the lives of mothers, newborn and children,” she said.

    Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, the Chairman of the occasion, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Wale Oke were among other dignitaries who graced the occasion.

  • UNICEF mourns Popular actor, Roger Moore

    UNICEF mourns Popular actor, Roger Moore

    The death of the popular British actor, Roger Moore has been described as a great lost.

    United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)  Executive Director,  Anthony Lake stated that the world has lost a great champions for Children.
    Moore until his death was UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

    In a statement made available Tuesday in Abuja, UNICEF stated that “with the passing of Sir Roger Moore, the world has lost one of its great champions for children – and the entire UNICEF family has lost a great friend.”

    In his most famous roles as an actor, Sir Roger was the epitome of cool sophistication; but in his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he was a passionate – and highly persuasive – advocate for children. He once said that it was up to all of us to give children a more peaceful future. Together with Lady Kristina, he worked very hard to do so.

    “All of us at UNICEF extend our deepest sympathies to the Moore family, and join his many friends and admirers from around the world in paying tribute to his life and mourning his loss. He will be deeply missed.”

  • UNICEF partners agency to curb child abuse

    UNICEF partners agency to curb child abuse

    The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says it has partnered with the Niger Child Right Protection Agency to protect the rights of children against violence and abuses.

    Mr Utpal Motra, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kaduna, said this when he led a team of UNICEF officials on a working visit to the agency in Minna on Friday.

    He said that UNICEF was concerned about the increasing rate of child abuse and on top of the matter to tackle ill treatment of children or wards by parents or guardians.

    According to him, sentencing offenders will not address the issue of violence against children completely.

    “Issues such as rape must be taken seriously to ensure that preventive measures are put in place to protect children against violence before such violence is perpetrated.

    Motra advised the agency to create a child protection system across the 25 local government areas of the state, to ensure that children of school age attend school.

    He stressed the need for such children to be properly guarded against all forms of abuses.

    Earlier, Mrs Mairam Kolo, Director-General of the agency, said that the agency was aimed at protecting and enforcing the rights of children in the state.

    She disclosed that the agency would soon embark on a sensitisation campaign to various local government areas to sensitise the people on the dangers of violating children’s rights

  • Ebonyi NOA reviews essential family practices on infants

    The Ebony office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has organised a review meeting on demand-creation for essential family practices to ensure that infants and young children were properly fed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the review meeting held in Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone of the state on Wednesday.

    The state’s NOA Director, Dr Emma Abba, said that the essence was to review the resolutions and action-plans on essential family practices such as basic education.

    Others are infant and young child feeding, safe excreta disposal and hand washing among others.

    “This is to ascertain the achievements made so far at the community level to ensure that pregnant women attend complete Anti-Natal Care (ANC) and children given full immunisation and basic education.

    “It is also aimed at ensuring that infant and young children are properly fed; I commend the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for its sustained efforts on child survival,’’ he said.

    He pledged to work assiduously to extend the campaign on essential health practices to all parts of the state.

    Mrs Roseline Ede, a retired Health Officer and Resource Person at the meeting, said that essential family practices would guarantee healthy living.

    “Participants such as community leaders should integrate essential family practices such as ANC attendance and exclusive breastfeeding among others in their meetings.

    “Any pregnant woman who fully attends ANC stands the chance of having safe delivery and reduced chances of child morbidity.

    “A mother who adequately breastfeeds her child enjoys quicker recovery after childbirth with quicker expelling of the placenta and reduction of post-partum bleeding risk,’’ she said.

    Mrs Priscilia Odi, Health Educator in the state’s Ministry of Health, urged the participants to prioritise the issues of child survival, development, protection and participation in their respective communities.

    She said that special attention should be paid to immunisation and exclusive breastfeeding among others.

    The traditional ruler of Amagu Autonomous Community of Abakaliki Local Government Area, Chief Fidelis Nwonumara, urged traditional rulers and town union leaders to ensure that issues of family health were integrated into their community meetings to save lives.

    Mrs Emilia Ineh, a participant, noted that she would implement all she learnt at the programme to improve the health status and condition of her family.

    “I learnt that breast milk contains an ideal balance of nutrients which infants can easily digest along with digestible enzymes that contain substances essential for the child’s optimal development,’’ she said.

  • Zamfara meningitis outbreak was avoidable – WHO

    Zamfara meningitis outbreak was avoidable – WHO

    …..as UNICEF warns against spread to North-East

     

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has blamed the outbreak of meningitis in some parts of Nigeria, particularly Zamfara State on lack of robust surveillance, saying the Zamfara outbreak was avoidable.

    This was also as the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) warned against spread of the meningitis outbreak to the North Eastern part of Nigeria, which it said is already suffering from malnutrition.

    The development partners spoke in Kaduna on Tuesday at the Emergency Meeting of Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery and some Northern Governors on Cerebrospinal Meningitis outbreak in the country.

    According to WHO Country Representative, Wondimagegnehu Alemu said, Nigeria henceforth needs to spend more and invest on outbreak investigation and detection, particularly in rolling out robust surveillance system.

    He said, 500 cases of meningitis discovered sometimes last year in Zamfara would have been been avoided if there was a robust surveillance system.

    His words: ‘We really appreciate the timely response of the Federal Government’s team to this outbreak. We also appreciate that there is enough space for us to work with governments both at federal and state levels, that is well appreciated by us.

    “We also value the critical role of traditional leaders in promoting health, preventing diseases and encouraging compliance of people affected by the diseases. It is often said, health is wealth and none of you likes to see or have sick people. It is from that perspective I see committed leaders, officially elected, as well as traditional leaders, standing for their people.

    “I am not going to go into the details, but in the past, meningitis type A was the one that ravaged most of these areas. Since you have successfully conducted the preventive vaccination, it has now shifted.

    “The current type C is a new one. It has never been known to cause this magnitude of outbreak; it used to be only sporadic cases. So, that has left us with no option than to rely on few of the tools that we have including few number vaccines that are available at global level, through the strategy contingency plan. The government has applied and has received and judiciously distributed to the affected places and the vaccination has taken place. More is coming on the way.

    “Now, I will like to take this opportunity as I conclude that, in as much as we are happy that the surveillance work was able to pick up, the response was very good and the timely response, particularly from all levels was commendable, but going forward, we believe that we need to spend more and invest on detection, outbreak investigation and detection, particularly in rolling out robust surveillance system, robust surveillance system is required to identify initial cases that have been occurring in those areas particularly.

    “A good example is the number of 500 cases accidentally discovered sometimes last year in Zamfara. That would have been been avoided if there was a robust surveillance system.

    “WHO is committed to work with government, particularly with the Federal Ministry of Health and with the states, starting with Sokoto and Zamfara to Katsina, depending on the availability of resources to build that robust surveillance system, starting from health facilities, to LGAs and finally at the national level. The reason is that, these colleagues at LGA level could spend more of their time, analysing the data and find out needs to be done as a matter of rapid response. The second one is along with this, having a stock of vaccine, medicine, depending on their availability and also the medical supplies. These are the areas where the Honorable Minister, the officials of the ministry of health and Governors need to please invest and help to particularly avoid any future outbreak or stampede at initial stage”, he said.

    In his own goodwill message, UNICEF County Representative, Mohammed Fall said, children in the North East were already facing the burden of malnutrition. and all the consequences of the devastating conflicts and letting meningitis penetrate the region would increase the burden.

    According to him, “We express appreciation to the Northern Traditional Council for the long term partnership with UNICEF with regards to primary health care in Nigeria. One example was just given by the Governor of Kaduna State of the partnership we have on polio. Today, Nigeria is very close to being a polio-free country; this is largely because of this partnership.

    “Building on this critical role, I think the calling of this meeting to get your involvement in the control of the outbreak of meningitis could not have been more timely than now. Your role cannot be overemphasised, as communities listen to you, they accept your guidance and what we need today is to ensure that the messages get to the households, through the communities, through the families and there is no best partner than you in this fight.

    “Meningitis is a highly communicable disease, but it can be easily controlled through very simple improved hygiene measures, understanding the mode of transmission, early health seeking behaviour can help very much to roll back this disease.

    “I need to call attention of your excellences to the situation in the North East. We know that, in the North East, children are already facing the burden of malnutrition. They are already facing all the consequences of the devastating conflicts. Now, letting meningitis penetrate this area would increase the burden and this is why I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Minister Health, to appeal to all the partners for special attention to be paid to avoiding this disease get and spread into the North East”, he said.

    Meanwhile, the Representative of the Department for International Development (DFID), Salma Kolo blamed the outbreak of the scourge on weak health system in Northern Nigeria, calling on the leaders of the region to improve on their efforts to fix the health system.

    According to her, “The government of United Kingdom is concerned about the outbreak of meningitis in Northern Nigeria, just like it is concerned about the case of maternal and new born mortality. It sympathises with the government and people of Northern Nigeria and people of Nigeria in general.

    “The United Kingdom government had immediately sent its contribution of 800,000 dozes of meningitis vaccines through WHO and that has been acknowledged and it is already being utilised in the country.

    “As part of other programmes funded by the UK government, one of which is reduction and averting maternal death in Northern Nigeria and also improving child survival.

    “The outbreak of meningitis is an indication of weak health system in Northern Nigeria. And I want to use this opportunity to plead with the leaders, especially the Executive Governors to continue to put in more efforts in strengthening the health system, especially the primary healthcare system.

    “Unfortunately we in Northern Nigeria are not privileged, the vulnerable groups are mainly women and children that are jobless, have no access to funds. Therefore, their care must be provided for free of charge, 100 per cent free of charge and that is possible. It has been demonstrated in Nigeria and we are beginning to see the outcome of such commitment through the work that we do with the state governments’, said DFID representative.