BY NAJIB SANI ADAMU
The National Population Commission (NPC) has stated that the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey launched by the commission in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health is essential for the formulation and implementation of health policies and programmes by the government.
Gombe State director of the NPC Jude Maigari stated this while speaking with newsmen on behalf of the national chairman of the commission on Wednesday about the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey to be conducted in the state.
He said the survey would help government to have an accurate data on the population of communities and their health statuses so that interventions can come base on the challenges, needs and aspirations of the residents.
“This survey has been instrumental in providing valuable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions and contribute to the broader development agenda of our nation. The data we collect and analyse will not merely be numerical values, they will represent the health, aspirations and challenges of our communities.”, he noted.
According to him, the survey would hold in the 11 local government areas of the state from now to April 2024 calling on traditional and religious leaders to assist the commission in mobilising people to avail themselves and cooperate with the NPC to ensure the success of the exercise.
He lauded partners such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for providing primary funding for the survey, the National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Global Fund, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO for their support for the exercise.
