NPC, UNICEF tackle low birth registration in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

As part of measures to address low birth registration in Kaduna State, the National Population Commission (NPopC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Monday met with stakeholders to strategise on how to increase media campaigns to address the issue.
Speaking to journalists at the one day ‘strategic meeting for media campaign on birth registration in Kaduna State’, Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Agency (KDSPHCA), Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, revealed that, only 30% of births are currently registered in the state.
“I think for us at the Agency getting all out children registered and given them an identity will give us the chance to provide needed intervention that will improve their health and that will improve the survival of these children. You cannot provide services for somebody you have not planned for,” she said.
Dr. Balarabe, noted that, with support from UNICEF the Kaduna state government through the Primary Healthcare Agency will make significant improvement on the way it provide intervention for vulnerable children under five.
On his part, Head of Vital Registration at National Population Commission Kaduna office, Umaru Adamu, noted one of the greatest challenges facing birth registration in the state, is lopsided distribution and insufficient registration centres.
In his brief remarks, Rabiu Musa, UNICEF Kaduna Communication Officer, expressed hope that with the collective effort by UNICEF, in collaboration with National Population Commission, the Media and other stakeholders will help boost child birth registration in the state which is currently as low as 30%.