Taraba State is set to roll out its highly anticipated Maternal and Child Health Week this June, a strategic move aimed at improving health outcomes for women and children across the state, especially in underserved communities. The Taraba State Social Mobilization Committee has been mandated to oversee the seamless implementation of the week-long campaign, which will deliver vital health services to residents in every corner of the state.
Organized by the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the initiative is designed to strengthen existing health interventions and expand access to essential care. A major highlight of the campaign will be the official introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine, a key step in protecting children against life-threatening diseases.
The health week will also include critical services such as vitamin A supplementation for children, HIV counseling and testing, birth registration, family planning support, and deworming exercises. These services, according to committee leaders, are targeted at drastically reducing maternal and child mortality rates in the state.
In preparation for the rollout, frontline health workers have undergone intensive training to ensure they can provide efficient and high-quality care throughout the campaign. The training was aimed at equipping them with both the technical skills and community engagement strategies necessary for success in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
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During a strategic meeting held in Jalingo to discuss the National Immunization Plus Campaign, members of the Social Mobilization Committee were tasked with ensuring that no community is left behind during the health week. The committee chairman and Galadima of Muri, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, emphasized the traditional institution’s full backing of the campaign, pledging to support outreach efforts to even the most remote villages.
Dr. Tijos Kenneth, Director of Immunization and Disease Control at TSPHCDA, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary, reiterated the need for unwavering dedication from committee members. He urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the free services by presenting their eligible children and wards for immunization and other interventions.
With a state-wide mobilization drive and the commitment of both traditional leaders and health stakeholders, Taraba’s Maternal and Child Health Week is expected to be a step closer in advancing equitable healthcare delivery and safeguarding the future of its youngest citizens.
