By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
United Nations Children Fund UNICEF says Kano State has continued to demonstrate exemplary leadership in the areas of Health, Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through consistent funds release, quality service delivery and strong enabling environment.
The Chief UNICEF field office Kano Mr Rahama Rihood Muhammad Farah stated this at the flag off of 2025 first Round Maternal and Newborn Child Health week in Kano.
He said, with a population of over 17 million people and approximately 3.5 million under-5 children; and 900,000 pregnant women, Kano is strategically important in all issues of children and women rights.
Mr. Rahama Rihood further said the implementation of two rounds of MNCHW in Kano State for provision of Vitamin A supplementation, Deworming, Anti-Malaria and Immunization to children as well as Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) to pregnant women will ensure a healthy populace among the target groups.
“UNICEF defines child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood. This is measured using the UNICEF and WHO dietary diversity score, deliberately focusing on early childhood (children under 5 years of age) because it is a period of uniquely high nutritional requirements and the most sensitive period for physical growth and brain development for all children, both in times of stability and crisis.
Around 11 million children or one in every three children under five years of age in Nigeria are experiencing severe child food poverty, making them up to 50 per cent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition. In Kano State, 51.9% (one out of two) of Kano’s children are stunted or are not growing well while over 10% are wasted or too thin for their height,” he added.
“In continuing support to the Kano State Government, UNICEF has also provided adequate quantities of Vitamin A supplements and MMS for the first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week to reach over 2.6 million children 6-59 months and about 500,000 pregnant women, representing 80% of the target populations, respectively.” Mr. Rihood said.
According to Mr Rahama Rihood Muhammad Farah UNICEF will continue to partner with Kano state and work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes in Kano state specially targeting women and children.
We encourage everyone to benefit from MNCH Week to enhance routine immunization coverage, with a particular focus on Penta, polio, HPV, and Td vaccines.
‘”UNICEF will continue to partner with Kano state government to implement programmes that improve health and nutrition situation of women and children in the State.” He added
He also requested Kano state government To invest and allocate more resources in 2025, and UNICEF will also match procure more commodities, especially RUTF and MMS through the CNF.
Also to Conduct the second round of MNCHW not later than early December 2025 and procure deworming tablets in sufficient quantities to reach all children between 12-59 months in the state. To Considering increasing the days of paid maternity leave in the state to protect maternal and infant health and support exclusive breastfeeding. Lastly to Invest in expanding healthcare workforce capacity to enable round-the-clock service delivery in underserved rural communities.
In his speech, the state Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf said the present administration has implemented significant measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of citizens, with malaria elimination positioned as a top priority.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf represented by his Deputy Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo commended the UNICEF and other partners in supporting Kano state government in making the state citizens healthy.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, emphasized the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the healthcare system, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
The commissioner pointed out that numerous health facilities have been renovated under the present administration, with free medical services being provided to residents as part of a broader health sector reform initiative.
Dr. Labaran also listed several Primary Health Care Centres that have already benefited from government interventions and assured the public that the Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring close monitoring of health facilities across the state for improved service delivery.
According to the commissioner for health the campaign is aims to protect thousands of children and vulnerable populations during the peak malaria transmission season through the administration of preventive medications and the distribution of treated mosquito nets across the state.
The event attended by the representatives of the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammad Sunusi II, National Healthcare Management Agency among the others.
