Niger State Achieves Significant Milestones in Healthcare Improvement.
By Abdulkadir Yahaya Minna.
In a recent meeting held at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Governor Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago announced considerable progress in the GAVI-supported Primary Healthcare (PHC) System Strengthening Program.
This initiative aims to enhance healthcare delivery at primary healthcare centers throughout Niger State.
Governor Bago highlighted key achievements, including a remarkable reduction in under-5 mortality rates from 98 to 49 per 1,000 cases since 2018, a drop in the overall mortality rate from 57 to 3 per 1,000 live births, and a decrease in neonatal mortality from 29 to 22 per 1,000.
The program has also seen a 35% increase in Antenatal Care (ANC) uptake, with 355,804 women enrolled in 2024 compared to 232,495 in 2022.
Furthermore, there has been a significant rise in skilled birth attendance, with 36,251 deliveries conducted by trained professionals in 2024.
Additionally, fully immunized children increased from 23.5% in 2018 to 28.3% in 2024. Governor Bago reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable healthcare improvements across all primary healthcare centers in the state.
UNICEF’s representation underscored the collaborative efforts of the GAVI-supported project, which aims to provide equitable access to healthcare services and will conclude in March this year.
UNICEF officials emphasized the need for ongoing initiatives to further address immunization, birth registration, and nutrition challenges in the region.