By Ikenna Osuoha
Abuja – UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has promised to support National Population Commission (NPC)
to disseminate data generated in the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) at the state level.
Dr Mamadou Kante, the Deputy Regional Director/Officer in Charge, UNFPA, made the promise at the official launch of
2018 NDHS in Abuja on Tuesday.
The survey, the 6th to be conducted in Nigeria, was conducted by NPC in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination
Programme (NMEP) of Federal Ministry of Health, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Global
Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNFPA and WHO.
Kante, who was represented by Mr Andat Dasogot, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, UNFPA, commended NPC for conducting
the survey, which fieldwork commenced on Aug. 15 till Dec. 23, 2018.
The primary objective of the survey is to provide up-to-date demographic and health indicators for Nigeria, its geographical zones and individual states.
The survey collected information on fertility awareness and use of family planning methods, nutritional status of women and children,
maternal and child health, adult and childhood mortality, women empowerment, female genital cutting, among others.
The deputy regional director said “UNFPA is committed to promoting healthy population in the country through strong collaboration with NPC.”
Kathleen FitzGibbon, the Charge’d’affairs, U.S. Embassy, described the NDHS as a demonstration of America’s long time
partnership with Nigeria.
FitzGibbon said that the survey’s report would enable stakeholders and partners to tackle health challenges among Nigerians.
She urged NPC and the Federal Government to see the report as an action plan for future planning, adding that “the
survey finds that there is incredible improvement in Diahrrea management and changes in behaviour.”
She commended U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for using data to change the health status of Nigeria
for the better.