Health Workers' Week: Celebrating Excellence in Nigeria’s Healthcare
How Local Heroes are Shaping a Healthier Tomorrow
Makurdi, Benue State - Every year from the fourth to eighth of April, the world honors Health Workers' Week. This is a special time to recognize the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals who save lives daily and keep communities safe.
The theme for this year's Health Workers' Week is "Safe and Supported: Invest in Health Workers." It highlights the crucial role health workers play on the frontlines and their contributions to maintaining healthy communities.
In Benue State, Nigeria, organizations like UNICEF work closely with health workers and local governments to achieve sustainable health outcomes and improve decisions for the well-being of the people, with a focus on children and women's survival and development.
During the ongoing Health Workers' Week celebrations, many health professionals in Benue State share their experiences and express their excitement for the week's events.
Ms. Grace Wende, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board with over 30 years of experience, spoke about her dedication to improving healthcare delivery in Benue State.
"As the Executive Secretary, my responsibility is to ensure primary healthcare runs smoothly. I strive to coordinate and implement healthcare programs under one unified system, as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria,"
Other health workers in Benue State, like Mrs. Janice Ayangafa, in charge of the Immunization Unit at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, shared her passion for vaccinating mothers and babies. She takes pride in educating mothers about health practices, emphasizing the importance of prevention.
Health workers also emphasize the team effort involved in delivering quality care. Mrs. Mary Azahan, a community health worker and cold chain officer in Makurdi Local Government Area, ensures vaccines are stored safely, enabling the delivery of essential vaccinations to children. "UNICEF's support has been invaluable, supplying us with solar fridges and necessary vaccines. Thanks to these efforts, we no longer face frequent diarrheal diseases or measles," Mary said.
"As we celebrate this year's Health Workers Week, there is indeed a lot to be happy about especially in the ability of health workers to join efforts with UNICEF and partners in ensuring the delivery of quality health care services. We have witnessed a sharp decrease in cases of infant diarrhea and measles."
