UNICEF Delivers 1.5 Million Doses of Vitamin A to Bauchi for Child Health Improvement
December 8, 2025
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has made a significant vitamin A donation to Bauchi State, providing 1.5 million doses to support improved immunity and healthy growth among children. The contribution was announced on Monday during the launch of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Bauchi.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Bauchi-represented by Nutrition Officer Jackson Martins, said the agency also supplied 47,000 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to combat maternal and child mortality in the state.
Rafique described vitamin A as a critical micronutrient essential for early childhood development. She warned that deficiency could cause preventable childhood blindness and increase the risk of death from common illnesses such as diarrhea.
According to her, “Periodic high dose vitamin A supplementation is a proven, low-cost intervention that reduces all-cause mortality by 12 to 24 per cent, making it a critical component to lower child mortality.”
She added that MMS was recommended for pregnant women who often experience multiple micronutrient deficiencies that negatively impact maternal health and fetal outcomes.
“We encourage caregivers, mothers and fathers to take advantage of this opportunity to protect children from preventable diseases and ensure they are well nourished for a healthy and productive life,” she said.
Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board (BSPHDB), said the MNCHW exercise was designed to accelerate improvements in maternal, newborn and child health indicators. He was represented by Sufiyan Jibrin, Director of Primary Healthcare at the agency.
Mohammed explained that the services would enhance routine primary healthcare delivery for pregnant women, mothers and children aged 0–59 months. He outlined the interventions:
- Vitamin A supplements for children aged 6–59 months
- Deworming tablets for children aged 12–59 months
- Screening for acute malnutrition and referral for affected children
A beneficiary, Aisha Usman, thanked UNICEF and the state government, noting that the support would significantly improve the wellbeing of children and mothers.
The vitamin A donation marks a major step toward strengthening nutrition and reducing preventable child deaths in Bauchi State.
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