Health
THE National Population Commission (NPC) on Tuesday said that the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) is ongoing in Oyo State.
The NPC Federal Commissioner, Oyo State, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, said NPC had over three decades spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health and key partners.
Oyetunji, who was represented by Mr Akin Oyetunde, the NPC Oyo State Director, disclosed this at a news briefing in Ibadan.
He said that the survey had been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contribute to the broader development agenda of the nation.
He added that “together, we have elevated this survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria.
“Special recognition to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the support, specifically for providing primary funding for the survey, and for providing technical expertise.
“We are also deeply thankful for the support received from notable and longstanding partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),The Global Fund, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO.”
The commissioner emphasised that the data collected and analysed would not merely be numerical values; they would
represent the health, aspirations, and challenges of communities.
He said “researchers, administrators and policy makers hold critical roles in ensuring the success of this survey.
“The impact of our work transcends statistics. It extends to the lives of every individual, every family, and every community in Nigeria.
“Together, we are setting the stage for positive change, and I am confident that the data we gather will guide us toward a healthier and more prosperous future.”
Mrs Olukemi Afolayan, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State, said that globally, NDHS is very important for national development.
Afolayan said “the survey is important for women’s health, children and men’s health.
“To have good national planning on health, we must have good data. I’ll urge all NOA members of staff at the local government level to embark on advocacy so that people will be open to individuals conducting the excerise.”
Mr Rotimi Ilelaboye, the South-West Coordinator, NDHS, said that the survey comes up every five years and that the last one was in 2018.
Ilelaboye said that “the objective of this exercise is to update data and gather information about Nigerians.
“Indicators like teenage issues, HIV are some of the areas that would be looked into so as to gather adequate information on ways to improve them,” he said. (NAN)
Tags: Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji Mr Akin Oyetunde Mrs Olukemi Afolayan National Population Commission The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation The Global Fund UNICEF United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) WHO.
