Stakeholders in the health sector have called on the Taraba State government to ensure the timely release of budgetary allocations for key health programs aimed at reducing child mortality.
The call came in response to the recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023–2024, which reported no significant improvement in child mortality rates in Taraba.
Speaking on the development, the Programmes Manager of the Maigodiya Center for Youth Development (MCYD), Malam Aminu Usman, emphasized the need for practical actions to address child deaths.
He highlighted the importance of releasing funds allocated for essential life-saving commodities and maternal and prenatal death surveillance committees.
“The Taraba Ministry of Health has specific budget lines to address child mortality. However, the challenge lies in the timely release of these funds.
“The alarming child mortality rates revealed in the NDHS report should serve as a wake-up call for the government and stakeholders.”
It would be recalled that the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, recently hosted a media dialogue in Jos to address child mortality in Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states.
The event was aimed at raising awareness about the root causes of child deaths, and mobilizing collective action from stakeholders.
UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. David Audu, urged journalists to amplify child health issues through consistent reporting.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he noted that Nigeria loses approximately 120,000 children under five each year due to preventable causes.
Stakeholders, who spoke with Newspot in Taraba, stressed the urgent need for stronger government commitment and collaborative efforts to tackle the persistent public health challenge of child mortality in the state and beyond.
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