By Umar Dankabo, Yola
Stakeholders in the health care sector have urge governments and parents to ensure tremendous concern to the first one thousand days of a child life in our communities.
This disposition was arrived at during a one day media engagement organized by the Bauchi Radio Cooperation in partnership with the Unicef Bauchi field office held in Yola Wednesday with the view that, the first 1,000 days of a child is critical to the growth and survival of our children.
In his submission at the dialogue, the Maternal Perinatal Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR) Desk Officer. Dr Takwale Joseph Vawa highlighted that, importance of the first 1,000 days can never be over emphasized as it provide the opportunity where a child is mar or make .
Vawa said that health care investment is highly needed and encourage with in the period under review noting that, the period builds the child’s foundation for brain development, physical growth, and future productivity
Vawa explained that about 45 percent of under-five deaths in many underdeveloped countries are linked to malnutrition adding that children who survive poor nutrition and inadequate healthcare during this period often grow up with developmental deficits that limit their productivity in adulthood.
He warned that,Failure to invest in the first 1,000 days comes with grave future consequences stating that,when immunity of a child is weak,then he vulnerable to diseases and that,
such investment does not only translate to better health and reduced mortality rates but to better national economy and prosperous future.
Earlier in her remarks, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office declared that all hands must be on deck in providing the well being of the children who remains the future leaders therefore needs absolute care and guidance.
Rafique emphasized that Unicef is poised to investing in integrated services that support children and mothers during this critical period noting that,the goal is not merely to ensure child survival but to safeguard lifelong wellbeing and productivity
“Unicef is strengthening antenatal and neonatal care, exclusive breastfeeding, desired nutrition, expanding immunization coverage and improving sanitation services”.She stressed.
Speaking also, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH officer, Unicef Bauchi field office,Nanbam Dawap called on stakeholders to conduct sanitation assessments in communities and ensure that WASH indicators are fully integrated into programs targeting the first 1,000 days.
Dawap underscored the vitality of integrating Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services into maternal and child health programs noting that lack of clean water, functional convenience and proper hygiene etiquettes attracts infections.
“We cannot achieve universal health coverage without embedding WASH components,” she said.
Our Correspondent reported that a field trip was conducted by the experts and journalists to few communities in Shelleng local government area where the local WASH committee chairman, Gideon Emmanuel advanced that the committee has triggered 293 communities out of 300 to becoming open defecation free(ODF) villages confirming that complete ODF is projected to the end of this year (2027).
