The Ebonyi State government and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have agreed to deepen collaboration to tackle open defecation, cholera, child malnutrition and poor immunization, as the state pushes for data-driven health and social interventions.
This was followed on Friday by Judith Leville, Head of Field Services, UNICEF Nigeria, who led a delegation to meet Governor Francis Ogbonna Enwifuru and members of the State Executive Council at Government House, Abakaliki.
Governor Enwifuru said effective policy decisions can only be achieved through reliable data collection and analysis, urging UNICEF and other development partners to strengthen data collection for primary health facilities in the state, especially maternal and child health.
He supported UNICEF's call for the elimination of open defecation, improved vaccination coverage to prevent poliomyelitis, improved nutritional outcomes and increased breastfeeding practices.
“I want the local government chairmen here to take vaccination seriously,” Nwifuru said, assuring that the state would construct toilets in markets, schools and public places to curb open defecation.
Leveille said UNICEF has supported Ebonyi with more than $1 million over the past three years to strengthen health systems, routine immunization and birth registration.
He said about 600 births are registered daily in the state, and he lauded the partnership with the National Population Commission, ALGON and NIMC to expand electronic registration.
Despite progress, UNICEF warned that one in three children under five in Ebonyi has stunted growth, while more than 417,000 children suffer from anemia.
The agency commended the State Government’s commitment of ₦150 million to the Child Nutrition Fund, matched by UNICEF, as an important intervention.
On sanitation, Leville revealed that UNICEF is proposing the construction of 2.5 million toilets to end open defecation and reduce the dangers of cholera, and urged immediate action to prevent future outbreaks.
He commended Governor Enwifuru for his health sector reforms and timely release of counterpart funding, describing them as critical to improving child welfare outcomes in the state.
