NPC Launches 2023/2024 NDHS in Bauchi

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The National Population Commission (NPC) has launched the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in Bauchi State.

The moment symbolises the culmination of strategic planning, collaborative efforts, and unwavering commitment from all participating stakeholders.

The launching was done by the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Bauchi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Darazo, while addressing a press briefing yesterday at the state office.

The federal commissioner added that: “Overall, the presence of all of us here signals our support, dedication and readiness to engage and commit towards having quality data from the 2023-24 NDHS.

“As we all know, the data we collect and analyse will not merely be numerical values; they will represent the health, aspirations, and challenges of our communities.

“As such, each one of us here, from researchers to administrators and policy makers, holds a critical role in ensuring the success of this survey.”

He explained that the NDHS 2023-2024 survey in Bauchi State is being conducted in 41 selected clusters across 17 LGAs of the state, saying: “Already, these selected clusters have been mapped, and the respondent households listed during the first stage of the survey.”

Darazo explained that in the second stage, which is ongoing, the interview team, comprising of nine members made up of two males and three females interviewers, two Biomakers, one Capi supervisor and the team supervisor, will visit each of the selected clusters located in various localities one after the other.

He added that already, interviews have been conducted in clusters selected in Bauchi, Zaki and Gamawa LGAs as the survey is expected to last for four months to ensure that all selected clusters are visited and the listed respondents interviewed accordingly.

“It is important to bear in mind that the impact of the survey transcends statistics. It extends to the lives of every individual, every family, and every community in Nigeria,” he added.

Darazo said: “In the light of the above, I wish to call on the good people of the state in the selected clusters to cooperate with our interviewers and respond honestly to the questions they will be asked.

“The data gathered will be confidential. As a way to ensure the success of the survey in the state, the commission wishes to seek the usual cooperation of the media in enlightenment and sensitisation of the populace, most especially those living in the selected clusters.”

The commission also sought the usual cooperation of the state government to facilitate the conduct of this very important survey.

He said: “Your esteemed presence here today further underscores a collective dedication to advancing the field of knowledge, policy formulation, and crucially, the health landscape of our country.

“For over three decades, the National Population Commission has spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and key partners.”

“This survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contribute to the broader development agenda of our country.”

Darazo added: “As we proceed on this collective journey, I would like to express gratitude to our esteemed partners and collaborators for their ongoing support to the survey. I sincerely thank our partner agencies, including the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and others for their unwavering support and collaboration.

“Special recognition also goes to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their support, specifically for providing primary funding for the survey, and for providing technical expertise through the ICF International.”