UNICEF urges Taraba Government to involve fathers in healthcare advocacy
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Taraba State Government to launch the Fathers for Good Health Initiative to ensure better health outcomes.
Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, disclosed this on Wednesday in Mutumbiyu during an assessment visit to primary healthcare facilities in Gassol Local Government Area.
Rafique explained that fathers would serve as champions of maternal and child health in their communities, encouraging other men to ensure their wives access healthcare services.
According to her, the men will be able to talk to their fellow men, and the challenges the Mama-to-Mama (women’s healthcare) advocacy group was facing would be eliminated.
She emphasised that the initiative would be a game changer, ensuring more children receive immunisations and more women visit health facilities for medical care.
Rafique also noted that, with support from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI), UNICEF has strengthened healthcare facilities and governance in the state.
She urged residents to utilise the facilities for proper healthcare.
The chief of the field office commended the state government for its support, stating that although the memorandum of understanding with GAVI has ended, UNICEF and other partners would continue to provide technical assistance.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Nuhu Tukura, highlighted the numerous benefits of the partnership, saying the sustainability of the gains remained a priority for the state government.
