UNICEF Brings Free Healthcare to Pregnant Women, Children in Gombe

*Organises catch-up immunisation for children in Anambra

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

In a bid to reduce child mortality and improve healthcare outcomes, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a free healthcare initiative in Gombe State.
In another health interventionist move, UNICEF also commenced catch-up immunization campaign for children in various communities in Anambra State.

The catch-up immunization programme which is spanning nine local government areas was organized to help children who did not complete their immunization as a result of the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, speaking during the launch of the free healthcare initiative in Gombe State at the Gombe Township Maternity Clinic, Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Nigeria-Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, explained that the programme which takes place twice a year, provides free vaccinations to infants, free drugs for pregnant women, and free delivery kits to those in their third trimester.

She added that the initiative is part of UNICEF’s nationwide efforts to improve healthcare of children and nursing mothers noting that the beneficiaries also receive micro-nutrition supplies, vitamin A, and gives incentives for health workers.
She asked pregnant women to avail themselves at facilities across the state with a view to benefiting from the gesture and recording safe delivery.

Also speaking, the Deputy Facility Manager of the Gombe Township Maternity Clinic, Harira Musa, noted that within the week-long programme, they provide all health activities, including antenatal care, delivery, and immunisation to children.
She noted that the UNICEF’s support has been well-received by the community, with a significant turnout of pregnant women and nursing mothers.
“The organisation’s efforts are crucial in addressing the healthcare challenges faced by women and children in Gombe State”, she stated.

According to Safiya Mohammed, Routine Immunisation Officer at the facility, children should receive vaccinations from birth to 24 months to be fully immunised.
“We educate mothers on the importance of vaccination and the periods when they should bring their children for immunisation,” she explained.
UNICEF’s catch-up immunization campaign for children in Anambra State is coming as most women in the area where the campaign is being held have praised UNICEF for such show of magnanimity.

In some of the centers visited by THISDAY on Saturday, rural Women praised UNICEF for the programme.
In Akwaeze, Anaocha Local Government Area, a nursing mother, Mrs. Amaka Egwuonwu, said: “We want to thank UNICEF for coming to their aide, and providing this immunization free of charge to us.
“This child here is my third child, and I have consistently ensured that they are immunized. I encourage mothers to see the need to immunize their children without default.”

Health officials in Anambra State have begun a weeklong catch-up programme in nine local government areas that recorded zero immunization during the period of COVID-19.

The State Immunization Officer (SIO), Mrs. Edith Onwuka, while monitoring the exercise at Akwaeze in Anaocha Local Government Area and Nnokwa in Idemili South, commended nurses at the Primary Health Centers in the nine local government areas where the catch-up is being held for effective mobilization of mothers.

She said the catch-up programme will last from December, 2024 to February, 2025, and urged mothers and local government health workers not to relent to ensure that all children are immunized within the period.