*UNICEF donates medical supports wort 300,000 US dollars for women, children health needs
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Borno State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malam Gana has said that the state unfortunately, is one of those in Nigeria with very high indices of maternal and neonatal mortality rates as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
He also added that, “at any time, we have over 400,000 women who are pregnant. We have 1.5 million women of childbearing age and we have children under five who are quite substantive in number to about 1.2 million.
Professor Gana stated this on Thursday, while receiving essential medical equipment and kits worth 300,000 US dollars donated by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) at the Central Stores Maiduguri.
He also thanked UNICEF for its regular interventions and expressed Governor Babagana Unara Zulum’s appreciation to UNICEF for its laudable support always, since the inception of the insurgency to date, saying, “It is my singular honour and privilege to be here today in the Central Stores of the UNICEF and appreciate on behalf of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, gratitude and appreciation for the generous donation by UNICEF.
“This donation is apt and acknowledgeable. I would like to recall the generosity of UNICEF in terms of assistance to Borno, especially in the insurgency period, which has resulted to loss of 45% of our healthcare facilities.
“Some of them were partially damaged. Our health facilities were destroyed by the insurgents. And it has led to loss of a lot of health personnel. Some were kidnapped, some were killed, and some have suffered from post operational stress disorders. And that’ left us in a very callous and political situation.
“But with the assistance of the UNICEF, brought some succour to our people. And I’m sorry to have to tell you that Nigeria is in the bottom in terms of such indices of maternal mortality and mortality, which is something that UNICEF stands very strongly for in order to change it.
“So that every child is accepted. Every child has got the best of every woman who is pregnant, would have a safe delivery. And in order to achieve this is, the State Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has made free health care services free in terms of maternal care to the people of Ghana state.
“So, UNICEF has graciously looked into all these, considering all the problems we have had due to the insurgency and also you know, the human resources for health. They have looked into these up to date and donated equipments which we know, will not only furnish some of our primary healthcare but also even our secondary care facilities.
“Where women who are delivering would have benefited from this premise donated is quite substantial. And we’re very grateful to UNICEF, and all the donors around the world for considering us which is worth 300,000 US dollars.
“I can assure the Chief of Field Office, Maiduguri, Borno State that our Executive Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is somebody who is transparent, who is workaholic and is known for his judicious use. of funds and equipments which has earned him across the country a lot of awards and you have seen for yourself, how many healthcare facilities are currently being built including building of institutions, health Center,s and even building some nursing schools.
“We need more resources for health centers , hospital General Hospital and water supply facilities in collaboration since 2001 where health this year has 15% budget allocation and above. So, all this is done by the governor as means to exemplify his character of doing things that he has in mind because of the people of Borno State.
“We look forward to working with you in the future. And to assure you that we’re always there for you and then we will ask you for more because we are the center of the insurgency. So, we will still come back to you to have private discussions as to which areas we will work together to move our state forward.
“And in fact, this morning we have the West African Surgeons who just came forward and we’ll be collaborating with them on some areas of pediatrics so that every child will benefit from it as the state government is doing so much as UNICEF is considering state in the northeast of Nigeria which is unique and looking after women and children especially,” Prof. Gana said.
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