TheCable

The National Population Commission (NPC) says it has commenced the 2023/2024 Nigeria demographic and health survey (NDHS) in Kaduna state.

Adama Othman, state director of the commission, spoke on Monday at the launch of the survey in Kaduna.

Othman who was represented by Zeliha Wali, head of the administrative department, said the outcome of the survey would be useful in providing invaluable insights that will inform evidence-based policies.

She said the process would also contribute to enhancing public health intervention and the broader development agenda of Nigeria.

“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,” she said.

She said the survey has moved from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics.

She added that field work had been concluded in some LGAs as Zaria, Sabon Gari, Soba and Makarfi.

Speaking also, Sarah Atta, NDHS state coordinator, said the survey would lead to the gathering of high quality data that can shed light into fertility rates, maternal and child health, nutrition as well as other such issues 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,” Attah said.

She 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 workers access to the selected clusters.