Bauchi Launches Statewide MNCH Campaign as UNICEF Supplies Lifesaving Supplements

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

In a bid to tackle high rates of maternal and under-five mortality, the Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with development partners, on Monday launched the second round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week campaign.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Bayan Fada Primary Health Centre in Bauchi, attracted key partners including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others.

Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, who launched the five-day event, explained that the campaign was designed to deliver an integrated package of cost-effective maternal and child health interventions.

“The MNCH Week is a biannual event aimed at accelerating actions to improve maternal, newborn and child health indicators in the state,” he said.

Mohammed, represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Adamu Mohammed, noted that the services are intended to strengthen routine PHC delivery for pregnant women, mothers, and children aged 0–59 months.

He lamented the state’s high malnutrition figures—stunting at 61.7%, wasting at 5.2%, and underweight at 33.4%—describing them as alarming and in need of urgent preventive and curative interventions to reduce maternal and under-five deaths.

UNICEF Privies 1.5 million doses of Vitamin A and over 47,000 bottles of MMS to supports Bauchi’s 2nd round of MNCH Week

“During this campaign, children between 6–59 months will receive Vitamin A supplementation, deworming for ages 12–59 months, screening for acute malnutrition for 6–59 months, and referral of malnourished cases,” he stated.
“Additionally, pregnant women will receive MMS/IFAS supplementation, Tetanus Toxoid, and SP, alongside health education on key household practices.”

He thanked the Bauchi State Government for supporting MNCH Week and for approving and releasing N300 million as a matching grant for the Child Nutrition Fund.

He urged mothers, caregivers, and pregnant women to take full advantage of the week-long services.

In a goodwill message, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, represented by Dr. Martins Jackson, UNICEF Nutrition Officer, commended the state government for implementing the second round of the 2025 MNCH Week.

Rafique stated that the initiative is expected to reach children aged 6–59 months with Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutritional assessment, and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women.

She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Bauchi State in delivering MNCH Week interventions.

“For this round, UNICEF has provided Bauchi State with over 1.5 million doses of Vitamin A and over 47,000 bottles of MMS, alongside other essential resources to strengthen implementation,” she said.

“Vitamin A is vital for child growth and development. Deficiency can lead to preventable childhood blindness and significantly increase the risk of death from common illnesses such as diarrhea.
“Periodic high-dose Vitamin A supplementation is a proven, low-cost intervention that reduces all-cause mortality by 12–24 percent.
“MMS is recommended for pregnant women because many have multiple micronutrient deficiencies that affect maternal health—such as anaemia, fatigue, and infection risk—and fetal outcomes including birthweight and growth.”

She appealed to caregivers, mothers, and fathers to take advantage of the MNCH Week to protect their children from preventable diseases and ensure proper nutrition for a healthy and productive life.