Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has reiterated his government's dedication to enhancing nutrition, maternal health, and child survival throughout the state.
This declaration came during a meeting with a delegation from Nutrition International, led by Dr. Osita Okwonkwo, the Country Director, who visited the Executive Council Chamber at the Government House in Bauchi on Thursday.
In an important public health initiative, the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board has announced the rollout of a malaria vaccine across the state, aimed at reaching 280,000 children under the age of two, marking a significant effort to reduce child mortality.
Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad, the Executive Chairman of the Board, shared these updates at a stakeholders' engagement session concerning the malaria vaccine introduction hosted in the board's conference hall.
On another note, Governor Mohammed expressed gratitude towards the Government of Canada and other development allies for their ongoing support to Bauchi State, particularly in health, agriculture, education, and youth empowerment.
Highlighting the importance of nutrition as a fundamental element in human capital development, he emphasized that well-nourished children are more likely to perform better academically and make meaningful societal contributions.
The governor disclosed that his administration has significantly invested in the healthcare sector, surpassing the 15 percent threshold recommended in the Abuja Declaration, with over 80 percent of health budget allocations being effectively utilized.
Furthermore, he stated that the state government has constructed over one thousand healthcare facilities, including 323 upgraded primary healthcare centers to enhance access to medical services, particularly for rural areas.
Governor Mohammed also revealed that the state has allocated N872 million as counterpart funding to promote primary healthcare initiatives, alongside N300 million directed to UNICEF as a matching grant for child nutrition programs. This funding supports the procurement of 15,419 cartons of nutrient supplements and 4,000 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food to treat severe acute malnutrition.
He mentioned plans to invest an additional N500 million this year to further bolster nutrition programs and eradicate malnutrition among vulnerable groups.
The governor reassured Nutrition International's delegation that the state would continue to institutionalize nutrition-related initiatives through policies and legislative measures to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the current administration.
Earlier, Dr. Okwonkwo praised Governor Mohammed for the perceptible improvements across Bauchi State, notably in road infrastructure and health sector enhancements.
Nutrition International, a global entity committed to enhancing nutrition and health outcomes for women, adolescents, and children over the past thirty years, indicated that Bauchi State was selected as a pilot region for implementing Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) research, which aims to advance maternal nutrition during antenatal care services.
This study produced promising outcomes, such as an increase in the adoption of micronutrient supplements by pregnant women, contributing to better maternal and infant health.
Dr. Okwonkwo conveyed that the tools and materials developed during the research are now accepted by the Federal Ministry of Health for broader use across Nigeria.
He assured that Nutrition International would persist in supporting Bauchi State by enhancing maternal and child nutrition programs through training health personnel, reinforcing supply chains, and improving healthcare delivery systems.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for including Bauchi among the states in the second phase of the malaria vaccine rollout, with the vaccination program set to officially launch on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
He emphasized that the vaccination initiative aims to safeguard children under two years from the significant threats posed by malaria, which remains a severe risk for both mothers and their children.
Malaria is associated with various complications, including miscarriages, anemia, and underweight births. Drawing on successes observed in Kebbi and Bayelsa States, where the vaccine was introduced previously, he expressed optimism that Bauchi would achieve similarly favorable results.
Dr. Muhammad assured the community that supply distributions have occurred across healthcare facilities, ensuring access to vaccinations in every part of the state.
He urged traditional and religious leaders, parents, and stakeholders to support the vaccination drive by mobilizing communities and educating families on the importance of vaccinating eligible children.
However, he noted that this initial supply is limited to children under two years old and does not extend to pregnant women or all children under five.
Earlier, Alhaji Jibrin Muhammad Ribado, the State Health Educator, noted that the 2026 rollout in Bauchi, alongside Ondo State, follows earlier successes in Kebbi and Bayelsa.
He emphasized that the program's success hinges on strong partnerships with religious and traditional institutions, women's groups, the media, civil society organizations, and Parent-Teacher Associations.
Additionally, Alhaji Abubakar Dabo, the Deputy State Health Educator, remarked that the stakeholders' gathering aimed to sensitize participants, underline the media's role in public awareness, and gain widespread support for the vaccine initiative.
Dr. Kamal Musa, representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, highlighted Nigeria's significant share of global malaria-related child fatalities, stressing the federal government's recommendation of the malaria vaccine to enhance mortality reduction and improve national health outcomes.
He outlined the vaccination schedule: the first dose at five months, the second at six months, the third at seven months, and the fourth at 15 months. He advised health workers to confirm each child's age before administering the vaccine and to remind parents of upcoming appointment dates.
Attendees of the event unanimously confirmed their commitment to ensuring the effective execution of the malaria vaccination program, aimed at securing the health and future of children in Bauchi.
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