Health
UNICEF urges Katsina religious leaders to promote child health
By Esha Aliku
The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on religious leaders in Katsina State to leverage their influence and religious platforms to promote child health, vaccination, nutrition, education and protection among their followers.
UNICEF made the call at a Faith for Life engagement meeting with Muslim and Christian religious leaders from the 34 Local Government Areas of the state, held in Katsina on Thursday.
At the event, Social and Behavioural Change Specialist from UNICEF Kano Field Office, Dr. Ogu Enemaku, explained that the “Faith for Life initiative was designed to use teachings from the Qur’an and the Bible to strengthen advocacy on issues affecting children and families.”
He added that, “It draws relevant scriptural messages on health, nutrition, child protection and education to encourage communities to adopt behaviours that promote child survival and development.
“I urge you religious leaders to obtain and study the Faith for Life materials and incorporate the messages into your sermons, teachings and community engagements.
“You religious leaders have a significant role to play in helping families make informed decisions on healthcare and other issues affecting the wellbeing of women and children,” Enemaku stressed.
In a goodwill message, the Deputy Director, Community Outreach and Development, National Orientation Agency, Abuja, Amaka Aninta, described the engagement as a gathering focused on commitment and ownership rather than an ordinary meeting.
Thus, she charged the religious leaders to “take the lead in encouraging your followers to vaccinate their children, attend antenatal care and address malnutrition and other challenges affecting mothers and children.
“I also encourage you to use Friday prayers, Islamic schools and church services to sensitise your communities on family welfare, child protection and responsible parenting,” she emphasised.
Aninta questioned why children should die from preventable diseases because they were not vaccinated, or why pregnant women should lose their lives for failing to attend antenatal care or suffe from malnutrition when religious teachings support the protection and wellbeing of mothers and children.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Shema’u Kabir, described religious leaders as “special guides and advocates,” pointing out that they are critical partners in driving positive change within their communities.
She posited that the government could not address the challenges confronting primary healthcare alone, therefore stressing the need for respected community voices to support efforts aimed at improving maternal and child health and nutrition outcomes.
“The influence of religious leaders could help families make informed decisions about the wellbeing of women and children,” Kabir maintained.
Like other speakers, she hailed the religious leaders for their continued partnership with the government but urged them to sustain their support for initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Our correspondent reports that the meeting brought together imams, pastors and other religious leaders from the 34 Local Government Areas, with participants expected to take the Faith for Life messages back to their respective communities.
The engagement aims at strengthening community ownership of child-focused interventions and promoting positive behaviours that can improve the survival, health and development of children in Katsina State.
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