By Zainab Shuaibu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, has donated 45 motorcycles to the Bauchi State Government to strengthen healthcare outreach and improve maternal and reproductive health services, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
The motorcycles were officially handed over during a ceremony in Bauchi, where the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, presented the Boxer 125 HD bikes to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam.
Dr. Rafique explained that the motorcycles would be distributed across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas, with at least two allocated per LGA. She noted that the intervention is aimed at improving access to essential healthcare services for mothers, children, and newborns living in remote and underserved communities.
She commended Global Affairs Canada for its continued support in advancing adolescent reproductive health in the state, emphasizing UNICEF’s commitment to reaching vulnerable populations.
“If they cannot reach us, then it is our responsibility to reach them,” she stated.
Rafique highlighted immunisation as a key entry point for delivering integrated healthcare services, especially for “zero-dose” children who have never received vaccines. She revealed that thousands of such children still exist in Bauchi State.
She also raised concerns over low antenatal care attendance, particularly among adolescent mothers, as well as the high prevalence of early marriage and its health implications. According to her, while addressing early marriage remains critical, ensuring access to quality healthcare for affected young mothers is equally important.
The UNICEF official further stressed that maternal and newborn mortality rates remain high in Nigeria, especially in the North-East, calling for a more inclusive and integrated healthcare approach.
Also speaking, UNICEF Health Officer in Bauchi, Oluseyi Olusunde, described immunisation as a vital gateway to broader primary healthcare services. He acknowledged existing gaps in immunisation coverage but noted ongoing progress aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Olusunde identified low rates of hospital-based deliveries and poor antenatal care attendance as major challenges, expressing optimism that the intervention would strengthen overall healthcare delivery.
He explained that the GAC-supported initiative adopts an integrated approach, combining immunisation services with community mobilisation and midwifery support to deliver comprehensive healthcare in remote areas.
“The motorcycles will significantly enhance the mobility of health workers, enabling them to provide antenatal care, newborn services, nutrition assessments, and WASH education directly to communities,” he said.
Receiving the motorcycles, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, expressed gratitude to UNICEF, Global Affairs Canada, and other development partners for their continued support.
He assured that the motorcycles would be effectively deployed to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations across the state.
Dambam also reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration to prioritising the health sector, noting that significant strides have been made in improving healthcare services.
“We will ensure these motorcycles are properly utilised to reach underserved communities and enhance access to essential healthcare, especially for women, children, and adolescents,” he said.