Emir reiterates commitment to promote uptake of MNCH services in Bauchi
By Amina Ahmed
The Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyamu, has reiterated the commitment of community leaders to promoting Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) as well as adolescent health services through community structures in Dass Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
Bilyamu made the statement while receiving a delegation from the Canadian High Commission on Saturday in Dass Local Government Area.
He said the emirate had intensified supervision to ensure increased uptake of healthcare services and strengthened health promotion activities across communities.
The emir added that the traditional institution had enhanced communication channels from the grassroots to the emirate council to ensure timely information on health issues and interventions.
According to him, the efforts have helped reverse the trend of non-compliance with routine immunisation and improved awareness of the dangers associated with poor access to healthcare services.
He further said that residents had increasingly embraced reproductive and sexual health services due to the commitment of traditional leaders, who serve as custodians of culture and community values.
Bilyamu commended the Canadian Government for its interventions, noting that the support had significantly improved the health and wellbeing of residents in the area.
Earlier, Mr Arash Irantalah, Head of Development Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, said Global Affairs Canada had launched the African Strategic Partnership to support women and adolescent girls in Bauchi State.
Also speaking, Ms Rownak Khan, Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, said women under the Mama2Mama mobilisation group were playing active roles in promoting maternal and child survival in Dass LGA.
She added that UNICEF had trained 20 adolescent girls from various wards in the LGA on the production of reusable sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene.
Khan commended the Bauchi State Government for consistently allocating over 15 per cent of its budget to the health sector, noting that the move signalled a strong commitment to sustaining interventions by Global Affairs Canada and UNICEF.
