Yekini Jimoh, Author at Tribune Online

The Kogi State Government on Wednesday distributed Solar Direct Drive (SDDs) Refrigerators and cooking utensils to selected healthcare facilities (PHCs), aimed at strengthening routine immunisation and equitable access to life-saving vaccines for children in the state. The distribution was flagged off by the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and partners, to strengthen the state's healthcare system. In a groundbreaking feat, the Kogi State Government has also successfully solarised its State Cold Store with a 60KVA solar inverter, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria at the time of installation. The state's Commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Adams Abdullazeez, who flagged off the distribution, said the initiative demonstrated the state government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens, particularly children and mothers. Dr Abdullazeez emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in enhancing healthcare delivery in the state. He thanked the partners for their support and recognised the initiative's impact on improving immunisation coverage, maternal and child nutrition. "The deployment of these Solar Direct Drive Refrigerators and cooking utensils marks a significant leap forward in our quest to improve immunisation coverage and promote maternal and child nutrition. "We are confident that these interventions will have a profound impact on the health outcomes of our residents. "As we flag off this ceremony, I charge all stakeholders to remain committed to our shared vision of a healthier and more resilient Kogi State," Dr Abdullazeez said. Earlier, the Executive Director, KSPHCDA, Dr Musa Omeiza Mu'azu, said that the initiative was aimed at strengthening routine immunisation, ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines for children, and promoting Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) in the state. According to him, the selection of recipient PHCs was guided by critical needs, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas, as well as facilities serving a high number of children under one year with low routine immunisation coverage. Dr Mu'azu emphasised that the initiative was crucial in addressing gaps in vaccine storage and distribution, thereby improving immunisation outcomes in underserved communities. "We are proud to announce that a total of 246 SDDs Refrigerators have been installed across the state, replacing outdated units as needed. "Today, we deploy an additional 20 units to further strengthen vaccine storage capacity and ensure uninterrupted immunisation services. "In addition, the Kogi State government, through the ANRiN project implementation by the KSPHCDA, is supporting the distribution of cooking utensils to 19 LGAs, with five Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in each, making a total of 95 PHCs. "These utensils will aid food demonstrations in the facilities during Antenatal Care (ANC) services for pregnant women, which are crucial in promoting Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN)," he said. Dr Mu'azu reiterated that the initiative would improve the health and well-being of mothers and children as well as empower women with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their nutrition. ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE