The European Union (EU) has donated health equipment and medicines worth over N2.8 billion to Bauchi State government as part of its effort to improve the health status of women and children in the state.
The equipment and medicines were donated under the European Union-Maternal and New-born Child Health and Nutrion project being implemented by EU in collaboration with UNICEF and state government.
The project titled, “Strengthening Primary Health Care and Community Resilience for improved Maternal, New-born, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCH), is a four-year programme being implemented in three states of Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi at the cost of 54 million euro.
At the official handover of the equipment in Bauchi on Thursday, the UNICEF Country Representative, Mohamed Malick Fall, said that about six million children and 1.5 million women would benefit from the project in four years.
“In Bauchi State,1.5 million children under the age of five, and 380,000 pregnant women will be reached annually with health services. Out of the 2.7 million children under five years of age and 850,000 pregnant women targeted to be reached with health services annually in the three states.
“An estimate 17.2 million individuals will benefit indirectly from the project,” says Malick Fall.
The UNICEF Country Representative said, “The supplies which are worth about 7 million Euros will contribute to the optimal functionality of the 323 PHC that will open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, providing quality services.
“I am glad to inform you that 16 trucks containing some of these equipment and medicines have arrived and much more are still to be deliver,” Malick Fall said.
He stated further: “The project is hinged on sectoral integration that includes health, water and sanitation /hygiene, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, child protection, community development and social protection in the three states”.
Malick Fall reiterated the commitment of UNICEF to continue to work with government of Bauchi State through state Ministry of Health to improve the healthcare for children and women in the state.
The equipment donated comprises 34 basic items which include delivery beds, delivery kits, dressing kits, resuscitation kits, baby dressing tables, instrument table, examination table, bed screen, laboratory equipment among others.
Also, Governor Mohammed Abubakar, who commended EU-UNICEF for its support to the healthcare system said that his administration has constructed 19 model primary healthcare facility to meet the health challenges of the people.
He said that the government also constructed zonal cold stores for medical consumables in Bauchi, Azard and Darazo.
He assured that all the communities in the state would benefit from the equipment and medicines donated, while calling on all beneficiaries to utilise the items.