UNICEF commits N480m to improve healthcare for children,

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has committed to contributing the sum of N480 million to improve access to equitable and inclusive quality health care for children under 5 years, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age in six local government areas of Zamfara State.

This was disclosed by the Chief of the Sokoto Field Office, Michael Juma, at the opening session of a 3-day workshop for high-level policymakers (commissioners and permanent secretaries) to provide input on the draft 10-Year State Strategic Development Plan (ZMS-SDP 2024-2033) held in Gusau, Zamfara State.

“I am greatly delighted to participate in the high-level review of the first Zamfara State 10-Year Strategic Development Plan (ZMS-SDP 2024-2033) taking place in Gusau, the state capital of Zamfara,” Juma stated.

“Your achievements towards enhancing inclusive social development through the formulation of robust policies and programmes on health, nutrition, education, WASH, and child protection to address the needs of the most vulnerable in the state are commendable,” he added.

According to him, UNICEF appreciates the Zamfara State government for its commitment and resolve in accelerating equitable and inclusive development by approving the release of over one billion naira as the state government’s counterpart fund for UNICEF’s 2024 interventions.

These development programmes aim to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through effective convergence, integration, and system strengthening in the social sector with a view to achieving universal health coverage for children under five.

“This would also improve quality service delivery in primary health care, accelerate routine immunisation, and enhance access to equitable and inclusive quality education with a focus on out-of-school children and the digitalization of learning through the effective rollout of the Nigeria Learning Passport in the state,” he stated.

He further explained that it would improve nutrition security, reduce malnutrition, ensure access to safe drinking water, and accelerate WASH services in facilities such as primary health care centres, schools, and multipurpose centres.

He added that the 10-Year Strategic Development Plan is a roadmap for transformation, which has a catalytic effect on spurring equitable and gender-transformative development in the state.

“Integrating social protection systems with basic social services such as the health insurance scheme is vital for creating sustainable social capital to address the multifaceted needs of women, children, and families, leading to positive outcomes in health, education, and overall well-being,” he said.

“UNICEF is happy to announce that in the next two weeks, we shall support premium payments for health insurance amounting to over 480 million naira (for start-up activities) to enable 36,419 beneficiaries (under-fives, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age) in six LGAs through the Zamfara State Health Insurance Contributory Agency (ZAMCHEMA),” he continued.

“This will certainly contribute to improved access to equitable and inclusive quality health care for vulnerable households,” he added.

In his remarks, Governor Dauda Lawal disclosed that the 10-year plan is not just a vision for the future; “it is our collective commitment to addressing the significant challenges in governance, socio-economic development, security, and justice that have long hindered our progress,” he said.

“Let me therefore welcome the UNICEF delegation to Zamfara State for this event, which will further make the draft plan a real document that reflects the actual internal workings of the state and our aspirations of where we hope to be and how to get there so as to achieve the development of our dear state in line with global best practices,” he stated.

“We must acknowledge that there is still much work to be done to improve the lives of our people and create a better future for generations to come,” he emphasised.

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