UNICEF, northern states fight diseases

Over the past three months, UNICEF’s office for northern Nigeria, located in Bauchi, has signed agreements with the 10 states it covers on fighting infectious diseases, girl’s education, safe water and improving medical care, UNICEF Assistant Representative Vinod Alkari told IRIN on Friday. The last state to sign was Gombe, to which UNICEF has allocated 15 million naira (US $134,000) for various initiatives including the fight against Guinea worm, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Alkari said immunisation and education, including upgrading the skills of medical professionals, would remain key areas in the fight against the diseases. Another major project is a Child-Friendly School Initiative launched last year with UNICEF and federal government funds. The initiative aims to ensure a healthy learning environment in schools, the UN official said. The overall situation for the first part of the year is positive, but UNICEF’s work has not been without obstacles, Alkari said, mentioning a lack of adequate infrastructure and the attitude of local communities as challenges for his office.