Bauchi children get 1.5 million vitamin A to boost immune system

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported the Bauchi state government with 1.5 million doses of vitamin A to help build a strong immune system, and healthy growth.

Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Bauchi stated this on Monday during the flagging off ceremony of the Bauchi State Maternal, Newborn and Child
Health Week (MNCHW).

Represented by Dr Jackson Martins, UNICEF’s Nutrition Officer, Rafique said that UNICEF also supported the state with 47,000 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to tackle maternal and child mortality.

According to her, vitamin A is a vital micronutrient for child growth and development, emphasising that deficiency at an early age could lead to preventable childhood blindness and significantly increase the risk of death from common illnesses like diarrhea.

“Periodic high-dose vitamin A supplementation is a proven, low-cost intervention that reduces all-cause mortality by 12 to 24 per cent, making it a critical component of efforts to lower child mortality.

“MMS is recommended for pregnant women because many have multiple micronutrient deficiencies that affect maternal health and fetal outcomes.

“We encourage caregivers, mothers, and fathers to take advantage of this
opportunity to protect children from preventable diseases and ensure they are well nourished for a healthy and productive life,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board (BSPHDB) said that the MNCH week is a bi-annual event aimed at accelerating actions to promote and contribute to improving Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health indicators in the state.

Represented by Dr. Sufiyan Jibrin, Director, Primary Healthcare, Bauchi, Mohammed explained that the services were primarily delivered to strengthen routine PHC services for pregnant women, mothers, and children aged 0-59 months.

He said during the campaign, children between the ages of 6-59 months would receive vitamin A supplements, deworming for children between 12-59 months, screening for acute malnutrition for 6-59 months, and appropriate referral when malnourished.

One of the women, Aisha Usman, appreciated UNICEF, Bauchi state government and other development partners for bringing the intervention to the women and children in the state.