September 24, (THEWILL) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has flagged off free healthcare services for 15,000 beneficiaries in Sokoto state.
UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Wafa Saeed, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir.
She said the programme is in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (SOCHEMA).
To strengthen the programme, UNICEF donated 200 computer tablets, 200 power banks, three laptops, and thousands of “mamakits” to support safe childbirth and immunisation.
Ms Saeed further commended the State Government for prioritising health and nutrition in its budget, describing the move as a model for advancing child and maternal welfare.
She also lauded the government’s decision to raise health sector spending from 6.5 percent to 10 percent between 2024 and 2025, and to commit 500 million for nutrition supplies, a fund UNICEF has pledged to match through its Child Nutrition Fund.
“This commitment to health financing is commendable. It shows real care for mothers, children, and the most vulnerable”, Saeed said.
She also stressed the importance of nutrition and immunisation in the first two years of life, when 75 percent of brain development occurs.
She noted that immunisation addresses six of the ten leading causes of child mortality, underscoring its role in securing a healthier future for children.
As part of its partnership, UNICEF announced plans to enrol 250,000 poor and vulnerable individuals into Sokoto’s social register under the EU-SUSEE programme.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Gobir, who received the items on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, thanked UNICEF for its partnership and assured the delegation of Sokoto’s continued collaboration.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
