(Ecofin Agency) - The United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) has donated medical equipment worth N1.2 billion ($3.5 million) to the Adamawa state government in a bid to reduce prevalent maternal mortality.

The equipment includes, 226 baby dressing tables, 220 bed screens, 180 infusion stand, 226 microscope, 300 delivery kits, 200 stethoscope, 300 surgical kits, and 322 examination tables among other items.

This, according to UNICEF, signals the commencement of the second phase of the Maternal, New-born and Child Health project in the state which is backed back the European Union.

Speaking at the donation ceremony in Yola, the Chief Field Officer of UNICEF, Abdulahi Kaikai explained that the project aims to strengthen Primary Health Care and Community Resilience for improved Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition outcomes in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi states.

“The project is being implemented in the 226 Primary Health Care facilities and catchment communities located at the ward headquarters in the 226 wards in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state. This project will run from 2017 to 2020 and build on the gains recorded in the first phase of the project in improved and Sustainable Primary Healthcare Center per Ward policy of the federal government,” he said.

For his part, the State Governor, Muhammed Umaru Jibrilla, noted that the present donation comes after the declaration of a state of emergency in Adamawa’s health sector.

Anita Fatunji