NPC begins demographic, health survey in Kaduna

NPC officials at the press conference

The National Population Commission ( NPC), on Monday said it has commenced  the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in Kaduna State.

Adama Othman, State Director of the commission, who made this known at the launch of the 2023/2024 NDHS in Kaduna said the exercise would last till April .

According to her, the survey would be instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies and enhance public health intervention, while contributing to the broader development agenda of Nigeria.

She said, “It is essentially a health programme purely designed to generate reliable data on health and health related issues for policy formulation, programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.”

Represented by Zeliha Wali, Head Of Administration Department, said the commission has moved the survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics.

Othman revealed that the field work had been concluded in some LGA’s in Zaria, Sabon Gari, Soba and Makarfi LGAs.

She said that the survey was in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other key partners.

In her briefing, the State Coordinator, NHDS  Sarah Atta, said that data from the survey would be used to better understand the population, health, and nutrition situation in the country.

“The objectives of the 2023-24 NDHS are to gather high-quality data on a wide range of vital indicators, including fertility rates, maternal and child health, contraceptive use, childhood mortality, gender-related issues, nutrition, HIV/AIDS awareness, and more,” she said.

Atta appealed to local government councils, traditional institutions and communities in the state to support the commission in carrying out the survey by allowing the field functionaries unfettered access to the selected clusters.(NAN)