Bauchi Governor commends fathers for good health initiatives for improving healthcare services delivery

By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has expressed sincere appreciation to all Fathers for Good Health Groups across the State for making positive impact in the effective and efficient Healthcare services delivery in the State.

The Governor was speaking on Tuesday at the award ceremony honoring Fathers For Good Health (F4H), Initiatives in Bauchi State held at the Government House Banquet Hall.

Represented by his Deputy, Rt Hon Awwal Jatau and the Governor told them that, “Your dogged efforts in promoting positive health behavior, awareness, supporting immunization campaigns, encouraging maternal and child healthcare utilization, and mobilizing communities have today visible and cherished by all, contributed significantly to improving the health status of our people.”

He stressed that,”You have become an important bridge between health facilities and communities, ensuring that no mother or child is left behind in accessing life-saving healthcare services.”

Bala Mohammed stressed that, “Today’s event is not only a celebration of excellence but also a recognition of the critical role that community ownership and male involvement play in advancing public health outcomes across Bauchi State.”

According to the Governor, “The journey of strengthening healthcare delivery in Bauchi State has been one of purposeful commitment and strategic partnerships. Upon assuming office in 2019, I found that UNICEF was already supporting the upgrade of 107 healthcare facilities, with special focus on maternity complexes aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality.”

Bala Mohammed added that, “Recognizing the importance of this intervention, my administration strengthened collaboration with development partners and invested heavily in the health sector to ensure that our people benefit from quality healthcare services.”

“As part of our strategic outlook and commitment to maternal and child health, the Bauchi State Government has consistently being releasing to PHC MoU, and last year alone, we released over ₦872,000,000 as counterpart funding into the Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding (PHC-MOU) Basket Fund account,” he added.

The Governor further said that, “This investment has helped sustain critical health interventions, including routine immunization, maternal healthcare services, nutrition programmes, and other life-saving interventions across the State.”

He also said that, “Furthermore, in our determination to address the burden of malnutrition among children, my administration recently entered into a landmark agreement with UNICEF under the Child Nutrition Fund.”

According to him, “Through this partnership, nutrition commodities valued at over Six Hundred Million Naira have been procured for Bauchi State. I am pleased to inform you that the State has already received approximately 4,562 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and 15,419 cartons of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS).”

He added that,”These life-saving commodities will significantly strengthen our efforts to combat malnutrition and improve child survival across our communities.”

He added that, “The first Fathers for Good Health Award Ceremony took place in 2024, during which I was deeply honored to be recognized as the Grand Patron of the Fathers for Good Health initiative. Since then, the programme has recorded remarkable growth, expanding from two Local Government Areas to ten Local Government Areas across the State.”

According to him, “This expansion has enabled the groups to reach more families, promote positive health-seeking behaviors, and support childhood immunization efforts, demonstrating the profound impact of community-driven health interventions.”

“This year’s award ceremony seeks to showcase the outstanding achievements of the groups while energizing members to do even more. It also aims to mobilize Local Government Chairmen, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and other community stakeholders to strengthen male involvement in child health and immunization activities,” he added.

Bala Mohammed also said that, “We are equally honored today to recognize distinguished fathers and community role models whose support, guidance, and commitment to community development have inspired countless individuals.”

According to him, “Through their leadership, wisdom, and dedication, they have contributed immensely to the success of health programmes and community initiatives throughout Bauchi State.”

According to him, “This award is more than a symbol of recognition; it is a testament to hard work, dedication, and selfless service to humanity. It reflects the values of compassion, responsibility, and community spirit that are essential for sustainable development.”

He stressed that,”Your efforts remind us that improving community health is a collective responsibility and that meaningful change begins with committed individuals and groups such as yourselves.”

He further said that, “As we celebrate these achievements, I wish to commend UNICEF and all our development partners such as Gates and Aliko Dangote Foundation and W.H.O for their continuous support to the health sector in Bauchi State.”

He told them, “Your partnership has been instrumental in strengthening healthcare delivery, promoting healthy behaviors, and advancing health to the door steps of our people.”

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, said the state government places high priority on community-driven healthcare interventions. He commended UNICEF and the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board for recognizing the contributions of Fathers for Good Health in advancing primary healthcare services.

According to him, greater involvement of fathers in healthcare matters would significantly improve maternal and child health indicators.

He urged members of the group to remain dedicated to their role as advocates for positive behavioral change in communities, saying the Fathers for Good Health initiative is helping to build safer communities, healthier families, and a more responsible society.

In his goodwill message, UNICEF Team Lead in Abuja, Dr. Asnakew Tsega, reiterated the organization’s commitment to protecting every child in Nigeria and around the world. He commended Bauchi State for its leadership in supporting the Fathers for Good Health initiative.

Dr. Tsega noted that UNICEF recognized the critical role men play in family decision-making, which informed the establishment of the programme initially in Ningi and Misau Local Government Areas.

He called on the state government to expand the initiative to all 20 LGAs to enable more communities to benefit.

Speaking earlier, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said that the Fathers for Good Health (F4H) initiatives by the Uni Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has really boosted Healthcare services in the State.

According to him, members of the F4H initiative have continued to participate in education and enlightenment of mothers on the need to visit health facilities across the communities.

He particularly commended them for mobilizing mothers to allow their U-5 children to be immunized during the assigned periods while pregnant women are attending antenatal care and giving birth at the facilities through skilled birth attendants.

Rilwanu Muhammad, said that members of Fathers for Good Health have played a key role in reducing the number of zero-dose children in the state.

He explained that the initiative was introduced by UNICEF following findings that some men prevented their wives and children from accessing antenatal care, immunization services, and other essential healthcare interventions.

Dr. Muhammad applauded UNICEF’s support in demand generation and supply chain management for the programme and urged the state government to ensure its sustainability.

He noted that Bauchi, as the pioneer state of the initiative, has recorded remarkable success, prompting other states to adopt similar approaches to address negative perceptions toward healthcare services.

Representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Deputy Incident Manager of the National Polio Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Madela Musa, commended Bauchi State for its leadership in health-sector innovations and urged other states to emulate its achievements.

She also called on communities to take ownership of healthcare programmes to guarantee their sustainability and praised Fathers for Good Health for helping to ensure that no child is left behind.

Presenting an overview of the programme, Director of Primary Healthcare and Incident Manager of the Polio Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Sufiyanu, disclosed that the initiative has expanded from its original two LGAs to include Bauchi, Giade, Kirfi, Darazo, Ganjuwa, Itas-Gadau, Toro, Ningi, and Misau local government areas.

The Health Educator of Misau LGA, Ya’u Umar, highlighted the programme’s impact, stating that the local government achieved zero-dose ward status through the tireless efforts of Fathers for Good Health volunteers.

He added that the Misau Local Government Chairman has provided financial support and procured bicycles to improve the mobility of volunteers, enabling them to reach remote communities.

In his remarks, Co-Chair, Bauchi State Taskforce on Primary Healthcare and Emir of Dass, Usman Bilyaminu Othman, commended the State Government for prioritizing improved primary healthcare delivery service.

He also commended UNICEF for the initiative which has assisted in improving access to healthcare service delivery especially in the area of immunization of Under-5 children.

The Emir also said that the activities of the Fathers for Good Health (F4H) has improved access to antenatal by pregnant women across the State thereby reducing maternal mortality and infant morbidity rate in the State.

The annual awards recognized the outstanding contributions of local government areas and community volunteers in promoting immunization, maternal healthcare, and primary healthcare development across Bauchi State.

Ganjuwa LGA emerged the overall best in the implementation of the F4H initiative,, Bauchi LGA emerged second while Darazo LGA emerged third.

The Fathers for Good Health (F4H) initiatives was introduced by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to resolve zero dose issues in the state, implemented by the State Government through the Primary Healthcare Department Agency.