The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated drugs and medical consumables worth $438,972 to improve maternal, neonatal and child survival in Borno and Yobe states.
Phoung Nguyen, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Maiduguri, stated this in a statement by its Comminication Officer, Folashade Adebayo, yesterday in Maiduguri.
He said the gesture was meant to improve reproductive and child health care services, among others, in conflict-affected communities in the Northeast.
Nguyen listed items donated to include antimalarials, analgesics, antibiotics and equipment.
According to him, the UN agency will provide additional 500,000 dollars to support the implementation of the Primary Health care Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the states.
Nguyen noted that women and children had paid the highest cost of the 13-year-old conflict in the region.
“In 2020, the lives of 170 children lost directly or indirectly each day due to reduced access to health care services.
“We are laying the foundation for optimum well-being for thousands of children born and yet to be born.
“With this intervention, expectant mothers in Yobe and Borno states will be able to access health facilities in their communities, and receive essential drugs, tests and basic medical support in primary health care facilities close to their homes,” he said.