UNICEF Tasks Bauchi Fathers to Address Zero Dose Children
Eki George, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office fielding questions during an interview with Journalists in Misau local government area of Bauchi state. Photo: Murtala Muhammad
By Murtala Muhammad
The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF has launched a male dominated Community support group tagged “Fathers For Good Health” with a mandate to persuade their counterparts on the need to allow their children to vaccination services.
This is part of its gender project that was adopted following assessment of some recurring issues such as the attitude of some fathers who do not allow their children to access healthcare services especially routine immunization due to sociocultural and other beliefs.
The initiative is being piloted in Misau and Ningi local government areas of Bauchi State, with three hundred and sixty identified volunteer fathers committed to change the negative narratives.
In an interview with journalists during a field trip to Misau local council, Mr Eki George said it has been observed that fathers leave the responsibility of their children’s healthcare to mothers especially immunization, hence the need to enlighten them on their role in ensuring healthy family.
Mr George who is the Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office who identified the role of fathers in changing negative norms in the communities, expressed delight that the support group whose commitment to change the narrative of children’s access to healthcare services cannot be overlooked.
He said Misau and Ningi local government areas were chosen for their being among the Zero Dose LGAs in the state, highlighting that children there, are prone to child killer diseases, hence the establishment of support group.
The UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, expressed delight that so far, positive results have begun to emanate from the communities, commending the Fathers For Good Health support group for their resilience in facing the problems head tall.
Interacting with one of the fathers Aliyu Abubakar who in the past denied his children access to immunization due to myths and misconception, said he has now threw that negative notion away and embraced the conventional way of child’s immunization from the beginning to completion.
Other members of the initiative, Yahaya Barde, Nura Aliyu, Musa Maigari and Usman Abdullahi expressed readiness to sensitize parents especially fathers on the need to give their partners the permission to present their children for routine immunization to guard them again diseases.
