One In Six Katsina Children Die Before Celebrating 5th Birthday \u2013 UNICEF
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At least One in six children in Katsina State reportedly die before celebrating their 5th birthday, a stark reminder of urgent need to strengthen child survival interventions in the state.<\/strong><\/p>\n This figure represents 159 per 1,000 live births, with the state population estimated to be 9.64 million, where about 4.5 million of them are children.<\/p>\n The Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Rahama Rihood Farah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a Media Dialogue on Child Sensitive Budgeting and Planning organized by the UNICEF Kano Field Office in collaboration with Katsina State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.<\/p>\n He said despite all the efforts being made to change the situation of the children of the State, the data speaks by itself, and it is not flattering where only 41% of children are fully immunized, leaving the majority vulnerable to preventable and life-threatening diseases.<\/p>\n According to Farah, three in four children (75.5%) in Katsina are multi dimensionally poor, lacking access to essential services such as health, education, and adequate nutrition.<\/p>\n He added that, over 6 in 10 children (61.2%) live in monetary poverty, severely limiting household capacity to meet their basic needs.<\/p>\n The data further stated that one-third of children (33.3%) are out of school at the primary level, undermining the state\u2019s future human capital and economic growth.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly 23.4% of children aged 6\u201323 months receive the minimum acceptable diet \u2014 a major barrier to healthy growth and brain development.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than half (51.3%) of children under five are stunted, indicating chronic malnutrition with long-term consequences on health, learning, and productivity.<\/p>\n \u201cThe social sector in Katsina State has been lagging behind over the years. For instance, the approved budget for the social sector has declined between 2016 and 2020: It was: 38.57% in 2016, 36.4% in 2017, 17.8% in 2018, 12.98% in 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we need to do something about these alarming social indicators, the budget situation needs to be reversed.<\/p>\n \u201cChildren represent over half of Katsina\u2019s population and investing in children \u2013 in their health, nutrition, education, protection, and participation \u2013 is not charity; it is the most strategic investment Katsina State can make.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is an investment in Katsina\u2019s future human capital, it is an investment to break cycles of poverty, build resilience, and secure lasting peace and prosperity.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Child Rights Act domesticated in Katsina is not just a legal document; it is a budgetary imperative. It needs to be translated into actions that benefit the vulnerable children.<\/p>\n \u201cOur agenda is singular and critical: ensuring Katsina State\u2019s budgets and plans consciously, deliberately, and effectively prioritize the well-being, development, and protection of every child\u201d, he noted.<\/p>\n Heads and officials of various MDAs and CSOs in the state attended the media dialogue held at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n