Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, on Monday, reiterated the unwavering commitment of the government to quality healthcare services delivery for women and children U-5.
The First Lady made the assertion while officially flagging off the first round of the 2026 Intergrated Maternal, New Child Health Week (MNCH), campaign.
It was marking the official flag off of the 36th Federal Round of Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week, alongside distributions of routine maternal medicines for the prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease, and the launch of the HPV vaccination digital health communication campaign here in Bauchi State.
Represented by the Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, the First Lady said, “Today’s event demonstrates the continued commitment of the Bauchi State government towards strengthening healthcare delivery system and ensuring that quality healthcare services remain accessible to all citizens, particularly women, children, adolescents, and vulnerable populations, who remain central to our health development agenda.”
She added that, “As a government, we recognize that the health of mothers and children is one of the strongest indicators of development and social progress. This is why Bauchi State continues to prioritize investment in primary healthcare services and preventive health interventions, which directly improve the well-being of families and communities.”
According to her, “Over the years, Bauchi State government has continued to record significant progress in strengthening routine immunization services, ensuring that children across communities receive lifesaving vaccinations against preventable childhood diseases.”
She stressed that,”Through expanded outreach services, improved vaccination supply chain, strengthened healthcare worker capacity, community mobilization activities, and improved service delivery at primary healthcare facilities, we continue to steadily progress in improving immunization coverage across the state.’
The First Lady added that, “In the area of nutrition interventions, the government has remained committed to tackling malnutrition through community-based nutrition programs, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, micronutrient supplementation, management of acute malnutrition, growth monitoring services in infants and young child feeding. Interventions such as this increase public awareness campaign targeted at improving maternal and child health outcomes.”
The Governor’s Wife also stated that, “Today’s integrated maternal newborn and child health week remains one of the most strategic health interventions because it brings together multiple essential healthcare services under one coordinated platform for pregnant women, mothers, newborns, and children.”
“Through this exercise, eligible beneficiaries will access nutrition services, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, measles screening, growth monitoring, health education, and other essential maternal and child health services. This integrated approach allows us to reach more communities and ensure that no eligible child or mother is left behind.”
According to her, “We are also today flagging off the distribution of praziquantel medicine for the prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis, a disease burden that continues to affect many school-aged children and communities, particularly in areas with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.”
She stressed that,”This intervention is crucial because untreated schistosomiasis affects children’s health, learning ability, physical development, and overall well-being. I therefore call on community leaders, schools, parents, and healthcare workers to ensure that all eligible women and children receive this very important intervention.”
She added that,”Another important milestone we are launching today is the digital health communication campaign for HPV vaccination, which stands for human papilloma virus vaccination, a virus that is strongly implicated in causing cervical cancer. Our portfolio awareness and sensitization, Bauchi State is adopting and investing in digital communication strategies that will leverage social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and so on, to reach parents, caregivers, adolescents, and communities with accurate information on HPV vaccination.”
Aisha Bala Mohammed added that, “Creative digital content has been carefully developed to communicate critical health messages that will educate, inform, entertain, and encourage parents as well as caregivers to bring their daughters for vaccination at designated health facilities across the state.”
“I’m also pleased to inform you that Bauchi State is currently implementing a massive HPV vaccination sensitification exercise aimed at expanding access and ensuring that more eligible girls across our communities receive this lifesaving vaccine. We understand that prevention remains one of the strongest pillars for public health, which is better and cheaper than treatment, and that is why we are mobilizing resources, strengthening service delivery in health facilities, and engaging communities in Bura to achieve the desired goal.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, said that since the inception of the administration, the First Lady had always attended all the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week celebrations.
He said that, “I thank Almighty Allah for making it possible for us to gather today for the official flag-off ceremony of the first round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week in Bauchi State. I also wish to express my appreciation to the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, for his unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people of the state.”
According to him,”Since the beginning of this administration, His Excellency has given the health sector top priority. He declared a state of emergency in the health sector and introduced bold reforms to overcome bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve healthcare service delivery.”
The Commissioner added that, “He also convened the first comprehensive health summit in Northern Nigeria, which produced the blueprint that continues to guide the development of the health sector in Bauchi State.
Furthermore, His Excellency has consistently allocated more than 15 percent of the state’s budget to the health sector, demonstrating his commitment to strengthening healthcare and improving health outcomes for the people of Bauchi State.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary HealthCare Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, stated that the MNCH Week is aimed at reaching those children who were missed during the various immunization campaigns as well as give particular attention to pregnant women.
He appreciated the support of the various donor and international partners who are playing significant roles in the area of Healthcare services delivery, saying that their support has positively impacted in the improvement of the health sector.
Rrepresentatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nutrition International, Alive & Thrive and other partners delivered goodwill messages.
