The Nigerian Country Director of the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), Ms. Christian Maundaute, said there has been a significant reduction in the under-five mortality rate in Jigawa State, from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2024.
The director made the announcement at the handover ceremony of the GAVI PHC-MoU project to the Jigawa State government in Dutse, the state capital. She stated that this is contained in the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) report, emphasizing that the reduction highlights the positive impact of various health interventions and partnerships in the state.
Ms. Christian Maundaute, who was represented by Dr. Shyam Sharan Pathak, Chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria, explained that the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)’s three-year intervention had contributed to improvements in child health and survival rates.
According to him, key achievements of the partnership include the enrollment of 29,530 individuals under the health insurance program covering six LGAs through 65 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs); the protection of 416,250 (70%) adolescent girls against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) through HPV vaccination; a fourfold increase in measles vaccination; a fivefold increase in Ante-natal Care (ANC) coverage; and a fourfold increase in Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA).
“In the past three years, we have witnessed sustained investments as a result of the GAVI PHC MoU in Jigawa State to strengthen routine immunization services through improved storage capacity for vaccines, including the procurement and installation of a walk-in cold room, freezers, Solar Direct Drive refrigerators, and logistical support for vaccine distribution with three vehicles,” he stated.
UNICEF added that 330 personnel were recruited and absorbed into the government workforce, with an additional 924 personnel recruited by the government.
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“I appreciate the contribution of 879,250,000 Naira as co-financing for the MoU program by the Jigawa State government, resulting in 15.6% of the state budget being allocated to health, as well as the involvement of traditional and religious institutions in strengthening primary healthcare systems.”
“UNICEF sincerely appreciates GAVI, the vaccine alliance, for their support in scaling up PHC services to improve routine immunization coverage and deliver quality essential health services,” the country director emphasized.
He, therefore, called for more investment and oversight to improve and sustain current results, retain health workers, maintain equipment, sustain outreach services, and strengthen documentation and data collection for decision-making.
Speaking at the handover of the project, Governor Malam Umar Namadi of the state assured the continuation of full implementation of the healthcare interventions outlined in the MoU under the tripartite partnership with UNICEF, GAVI, and the state government.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Eng. Aminu Usman, said the project under the MoU aligns with the state government’s 12-Point Agenda, which prioritizes the health sector by transforming primary healthcare centers at the grassroots level.
Eng. Usman noted that the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2022, aims to improve the healthcare delivery system and immunization coverage in the state by providing essential logistics and human resources for health.
He added, “The program has significantly contributed to providing special health insurance coverage for over 143,000 beneficiaries in the 27 local government areas of the state.”
Namadi expressed his government’s appreciation to UNICEF and other development partners involved in the project and commended the healthcare delivery team in the state for their hard work.
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