Bahnu Pathak, the Chief, Bauchi Field Office,The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), during an official handing-over of the Disina PHC in Disina, Shira Local Government Area(LGA)  said it has renovated 34 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Bauchi State to ensure child survival and improve the healthcare infrastructure.

The UNICEF also handed over another PHC in Ari in Ningi LGA of the state.

“In fulfilling the mandate of ensuring child survival, development and protection of the rights of children, UNICEF is happy to collaborate with Bauchi State Government and other agencies to improve the lives of children and women.

“To this end, 34 PHCs out of 108 earmarked for renovation have been completed to improve infrastructure in the health sector.

“Thirty-two PHCs have previously been handed over and two more are being handed over to government today.

“As UNICEF hands over the 33rd Disina PHC in Shira LGA and 34th Ari PHC in Ningi LGA, we call on the benefiting communities and the state government to ensure that these facilities are not only protected but are utilised by the communities to make a difference in the health outcomes of children and women,’’ he said.

Pathak, represented by Dr Jackson Martins, Nutrition Officer,UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, further disclosed that standard equipment had been supplied in all 323 main PHCs in the state with 24 PHCs approved as functional 24 hours, 7 days a week.

He said that, the UNICEF’s collaboration with the EU on Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) had led to the screening, admission and successful treatment of 91. 4 per cent of over 24,000 severely malnourished children.

He added that the children were from the six EU/UNICEF-funded CMAM sites in the state.

Pathak expressed appreciation to the EU for providing funds for the project and reiterated the UNICEF’s resolve to fulfill its obligations in partnership with the state government.

He also pledged UNICEF’s resolve to support implementation of programmes that will help the state to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various sectors.

Responding, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), commended EU and UNICEF for their efforts in developing the health sector in the state.

He expressed government’s readiness to provide needed resources and counterpart funding that would further provide basic facilities required in rural communities.

NAN