Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has appealed to the United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef to establish a Field Office in the state to coordinate its programmes and strengthen partnership with government to better deliver on its mandate.
Governor Diri made the appeal in Yenagoa while taking delivery of six brand new boat ambulances donated by Unicef to boost immunisation coverage in primary healthcare delivery services in riverine communities of the state.
The Governor, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the establishment of Unicef Field Office in the state will make for better coordination and implementation of the organisation’s policies and programmes in Bayelsa State.
Unicef Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, applauded the Bayelsa State Government for prioritising healthcare delivery services especially in the primary healthcare sector.
From the statistics available by the Unicef Bayelsa State achieved 20% increase in routine immunisation in the last couple of years, stressing there was still room for improvement to achieve 100% coverage.
It is therefore hoped that with the provision of the boat ambulances, there will be improvement in immunisation coverage and overall primary healthcare delivery in Bayelsa State.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)