UNICEF donates infection prevention materials to 200 health facilities in Borno

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The United Nations Children’s Fund has donated hygiene materials for infection control and prevention to over 200 health facilities across the 27 local government areas of Borno state

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The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi, announced the donation on Friday during a meeting with the Borno state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency and officials of the state health care services in Maiduguri.

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Butichi said the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Facility Improvement Tools (WASHFIT) were donated to improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of health services for women and children in the state.

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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”

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“We are targeting all the 27 LGAs and we have over 200 health facilities in the 27 LGAs that will benefit from this donation.”

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He further stressed that the materials will go a long way in improving the quality of services rendered at the facilities

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“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

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“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.

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Butichi, however, explained that the supplies reflect UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the government to address identified gaps, particularly in facilities requiring urgent actions to meet the minimum WASH and IPC standards.

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Responding, the General Manager of the Borno state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Muhammad Aliyu commended the initiative while describing it as a timely response to the needs of vulnerable women and children in the state.

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“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.

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