By Samuel Luka, Bauchi In its continued effort to reduce neonatal and child morbidity and mortality, the United Nations Children’s Fund (U...
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
In its continued effort to reduce neonatal and child morbidity and mortality, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday handed over a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Plant and a Level 2 Newborn Unit to the Bauchi State Government. The facilities were constructed at Azare General Hospital in Katagum Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, described the initiative as a significant step in UNICEF’s ongoing commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.
"We are gathered here to hand over the medical oxygen plant, oxygen delivery devices, and the Level 2 Newborn Unit at Azare General Hospital to the Bauchi State Government," Munduate stated.
She expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government for its unwavering support and collaboration and extended gratitude to donors, including IHS Nigeria and the Government of Canada, for their partnership.
According to her, the initiative underscores the impact of teamwork in ensuring the health and well-being of every child and mother in the state.
The newly installed medical oxygen plant, she said, will provide critical life-saving interventions, particularly for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. “This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country,” she emphasized.
Munduate also highlighted the significance of the Level 2 Newborn Unit constructed at Azare General Hospital. She noted that it is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for the youngest and most vulnerable population.
Citing recent data that identifies Nigeria as having one of the highest neonatal mortality rates globally, Munduate stressed the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure, such as the newly commissioned facilities in Azare.
She urged the Bauchi State Government to ensure that the facilities are staffed with adequately trained healthcare professionals.
The UNICEF Representative reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the government through ongoing capacity building, provision of technical expertise, and continuous monitoring of progress.
“This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together to prioritize the health and well-being of our communities,” she concluded.
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