Ebonyi, UNICEF target open defecation, cholera, child malnutrition

Ebonyi State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have agreed to deepen collaboration to tackle open defecation, cholera, child malnutrition and poor immunisation, as the state pushes for data-driven health and social interventions.

This followed a high-level advocacy visit on Friday by UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Field Services, Judith Léveillé, who led a delegation to meet Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and members of the State Executive Council at the Government House, Abakaliki.

Governor Nwifuru said effective policy decisions could only be achieved through reliable data collection and analysis, urging UNICEF and other development partners to strengthen data gathering across primary healthcare facilities in the state, particularly for maternal and child health.

He endorsed UNICEF’s call for the elimination of open defecation, improved immunisation coverage to prevent poliomyelitis, better nutrition outcomes and increased breastfeeding practices.

“I want the local government chairmen here to take immunisation seriously,” Nwifuru said, assuring that the state would construct toilets in markets, schools and public places to curb open defecation.

Léveillé said UNICEF has supported Ebonyi with over $1 million in the last three years, strengthening health systems, routine immunisation and birth registration.

She noted that the state records about 600 births daily, and commended partnerships with the National Population Commission, ALGON and NIMC to expand electronic registration.

Despite progress, UNICEF warned that one in three children under five in Ebonyi is stunted, while more than 417,000 children are anaemic.

The agency commended the state government’s ₦150 million commitment to the Child Nutrition Fund, matched by UNICEF, as a key intervention.

Léveillé on sanitation disclosed that UNICEF is proposing the construction of 2.5 million latrines to end open defecation and reduce cholera risks, urging urgent action to prevent future outbreaks.

She commended Governor Nwifuru’s health sector reforms and the timely release of counterpart funding, describing them as critical to improving child welfare outcomes in the state.

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