UNICEF supplies infection prevention materials to 200 Borno health facilities
The United Nations Children’s Fund has provided hygiene and infection prevention materials to more than 200 health facilities spread across the 27 local government areas of Borno State.
The Chief of UNICEF’s Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi, disclosed this on Friday during a meeting with officials of the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency as well as representatives of the state healthcare services in Maiduguri.
Butichi explained that the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Facility Improvement Tools (WASHFIT) were supplied to enhance the quality, safety, and sustainability of healthcare services for women and children in the state.
He said, “WASHFIT supports health facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control, improve access to safe and reliable water, promote appropriate hygiene practices, and enhance healthcare waste management— measures that are essential to protecting patients, health workers, and the community from preventable infections”.
“We are targeting all the 27 LGAs and we have over 200 health facilities in the 27 LGAs that will benefit from this donation.”
He noted that the materials would significantly improve the standard of healthcare services delivered at the facilities.
“I am pleased to announce that the assessment was fully aligned with national standards and with WHO and UNICEF global guidance. These materials which consists of Buckets, sprayers, detergents among others will go a long way in ensuring the quality of services that are being provided at the health facilities.
“For instance, you are aware that many women have died while giving birth. In Nigeria, every 7 minutes, a woman dies while giving birth, and mostly, it’s because of the environment or the safety of the equipment they are using for delivering and that is why we are providing these tools,” he stated.
Butichi further stated that the intervention demonstrates UNICEF’s continued support for government efforts to bridge identified gaps, especially in facilities requiring urgent attention to meet minimum WASH and Infection Prevention and Control standards.
Responding, the General Manager of the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Muhammad Aliyu, praised the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for vulnerable women and children in the state.
“We commend UNICEF for this initiative and especially the timeliness of this assistance. As an agency, we will ensure that the materials are well utilised and maintained,” he said.
