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Abia Govt. launches ‘Remind Me’ to improve immunisation coverage

Abia Govt. launches ‘Remind Me’ to improve immunisation coverage
By Leonard Okachie
Vaccination
Umuahia, Oct. 5, 2018 (NAN) Abia Government in partnership with William Coley Hub Africa has launched a programme that would provide an automated reminder for immunisation and maternal care routines and vaccination for people in rural and urban areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative known as ‘Remind Me’, has been launched in Umuahia by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Represented by Dr John Ahukannah, the state Commissioner for Health, the governor said the programme was specifically tailored for pregnant mothers and under-five children.
He urged pregnant mothers and their children to avail themselves of the services, adding that maternal and child health remained a top priority in primary health care in the state.
He thanked William Foley Hub Africa and Each One, Aid One Foundation, for collaborating with government on the novel initiative.
Earlier, Dr Chinagozi Adindu, the Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), said that it was an innovation centre for vaccine and healthcare delivery.
He said that the programme which was in collaboration with MTN Foundation was structured in a way that each child would have a unique identity.
“It is a free donation to the state and is aimed at reminding mothers on the days of their children’s immunisation and the closest facility where they can assess the needed service.
Mr Tochukwu Egesi, the Chief Executive Officer, William Foley Hub Africa, said that that ‘Remind Me’ achieved its aim through USSD (*347*01#) and SMS technology for registration and reminders, respectively.
According to him, it provides information on the nearest hospital that has a particular vaccine to mothers using Geo-tapping technology.
NAN reports that the highlights of the ceremony are the distribution of two flying boats by the governor to Ukwa East and West Local Government Areas for immunisation in the riverine areas.
The Wife of the Governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, was at the ceremony honoured as the Ambassador of Immunisation in Nigeria by the state health team. (NAN)
LEO/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Gov. Badaru launches Universal Health Coverage

Gov. Badaru launches Universal Health Coverage

NAN-HG-2

Healthcare

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Dutse, March 23, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa has launched the state’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to boost healthcare delivery service to the people.

He said this while inaugurating a newly-built Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) at Jaudi village in Dutse Local Government Area of the state.

Badaru said that the provision of the health facility was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of providing at least one functional PHC in each electoral ward in the country.

“I thank Almighty God for keeping us alive to witness this historic occasion, the launching of the Jigawa State Universal Health Coverage.

“Thus, it is in line with the presidential agenda of providing at least one functional PHC in each political ward in the country.

“ I am made to understand that the UHC involves the provision of appropriate physical health infrastructure, relevant health human resource.

“Functional essential equipment and supplies as well as array of complement essential services that will address the primary healthcare needs of rural population on 24-hour basis,” Badaru said.

He assured that his administration, despite the contracting fiscal environment, would commit substantial resources to make sure that the people of the state live a productive life, good enough for vibrant economy.

“And our agricultural reform and investment heavily depend on a healthy population, strengthening of health system we believe, translates into a huge return in investment in the near future,” he said.

The governor further revealed that in the last two years, his administration has embarked on a number of new projects, while many inherited ones were being completed.

According to him, 27 new PHCs were built by his administration in remote areas with a view to improving access to quality healthcare by rural dwellers.

“This year, we planned to construct 57 of this kind of facilities. In some locations, midwives staff quarters will be constructed as well.

“Renovation of windstorm and termite damages are currently going on in remote areas that were neglected for years,’’ he said.

Badaru said that the 450 recently recruited health workers would be deployed to the new health facilities.

“We have just concluded the recruitment of 450 healthcare workers to man these new health facilities in the spirit of achieving the universal coverage health.

“And soon recruitment of doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other healthcare workers in secondary and tertiary facilities will commence,’’ Badaru said.

He commended the Department for International Development (DFID) for supporting the state with drugs, equipment and motorcycles worth over N700 million in order to actualise the UHC agenda.

“DFID supported us with drugs, equipment and eight motorcycles to help us actualise the UHC agenda.

“WHO is also fully working with us day and night to ensure that we remain polio free, which is the case for over four years now,” the governor said. (NAN) MNB/BOLA/MST

Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Media coverage excites NEPAD

Media coverage excites NEPAD

NAN-H-65

Media

Abuja, March 1, 2017 (NAN) The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has expressed satisfaction with the media coverage of its two-day Stakeholders Meeting on Skills Initiative for Africa  in Abuja.

NEPAD’s appreciation was conveyed by Princess Gloria Akobundu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Nigeria, in her vote of thanks on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akobundu noted that there was low public awareness on the activities of NEPAD, hence her resolve to raise public enlightenment through the media and nationwide advocacy.

She therefore hinted that NEPAD would engage the media vigorously to scale up its visibility and educate Nigerians on its mandate.

The coordinator also disclosed that NEPAD would invest 35 million euros in media and Information Communication Technology (ICT) based approach to skill development and regional/continental skill competition, among others.

She added that the fund would also be spent on youth empowerment and skill development in five African countries, including Nigeria within a period of three years.

Other benefitting countries are Tunisia, South Africa, Algeria and Republic of Cameroon.

According to her, the fund will be invested on the construction of facilities, rehabilitation and extension of facilities, purchase of workshop equipment and entrepreneurship/mentorship programmes.

Among those eligible to apply for the fund are people from skill development institutions, vocational institutions, technology-based institutions, apprenticeship training centres and NGOs.

She also appreciated NEPAD Continental, African Union Commission (AUC) and German Government for their commitment toward bridging the skill gap in Nigeria.

“I deeply appreciate the media; they have been great and immensely useful in the coverage of this meeting.

“For three days, they have been working round the clock to ensure the programme is well publicised.

“To the German Cooperation, we are highly grateful; take the message to your government, whatever money you bring into Nigeria for this initiative will be judiciously used,’’ she said.

The coordinator said a NEPAD team would embark on an awareness tour to all states of the federation soon.

Akobundu said that the aim of the media engagement and national tour to re-launch NEPAD programmes in Nigeria and take its mandate to the door step of those at the grassroots.

According to her, this will help reintegrate the States and Local Governments into the numerous programmes of the government, NEPAD Continental and the African Union Commission (AUC) to be implemented by NEPAD Nigeria.

She said the programme would also work with relevant government agencies and development partners in facilitating NEPAD projects. (NAN)

CJ/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola