The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has presented health supplies and equipment worth over $300,000 to the Borno State government. 

Presenting the items on Thursday, the chief of the UNICEF field office in Maiduguri, Phuong Nguyen, said the gesture would enhance access to quality healthcare service delivery at the grassroots.

“UNICEF is handing over essential medical suppliers and equipment worth over $313,143 to the Borno State government to improve the quality of care available in health facilities across the state.

“We want to build the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Development Agency to equip these facilities at the community level so that we don’t have vulnerable women and children travelling long distances to access quality healthcare services,” Ms Nguyen said.

She said the UN agency provided intervention worth $250,000 last year, adding that it would soon inaugurate a primary healthcare facility at the Hajj Camp area of Maiduguri. 

“Very soon, we will inaugurate the primary healthcare facility in the Hajj camp that we have constructed and hand over enough essential supplies worth $15,000.

“UNICEF believes in the government of Borno state alongside our donors. We want to help you help the women and children of the state,” she said.

Responding, the Borno Commissioner for Health, Baba Gana, lauded the gesture, adding it would positively impact the lives of the people in the state.

While assuring a sustained partnership with UNICEF, Mr Gana reiterated the government’s commitment to improved healthcare service delivery. 

He said the state government allocated over 15 per cent of the 2024 budget to health in line with the Abuja Declaration. 

“We are grateful to UNICEF and other donors and can assure you of judicious use of the facilities,” Mr Gana said. 

(NAN)