Nigeria ‘not doing badly’ on MDGs

The federal government on Tuesday said it had made appreciable progress in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Dr Precious Gbeneol, the special assistant to the president on the MDGs, said Nigeria had exceeded the international requirement of 35% affirmative action.

She said that as a result of collaboration with the ministries, department and agencies, about 30 million children had been vaccinated.

“About six million children have been immunised with the pentavalent vaccine; about 68,430 health workers were trained to provide the much needed skilled health service at the grassroots.

“About 15 million people were vaccinated for cerebro-spinal meningitis, free maternal and child health care through Diagnose Related Groups (DRGs) funded insurance scheme in 24 states,” she said.

She said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed evidence of progress and impact of the interventions as demonstrated by the outcome of their survey conducted in 2012.

She also said that the under-five mortality rate had declined from 157 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2008 to 94 deaths in 2012.

“This trend is similar for infant mortality rate, the infant rate of 61 per 1,000 live births needs to reduce by 50 per cent to meet the 2015 target.

“The maternal mortality ratio of 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births of 1990 has reduced significantly to 350. There is continuation in the fall of HIV prevalence from figure as high as 5.8 to 4.1 in 2012.

“This falling trend satisfies the criteria for the attainment of goal six which is to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases,” Gbeneol said.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) recently honoured Nigeria for the reduction of the level of poverty from 19.31 million in 1990 and 1992 to 13.38 million in 2010 and 2012.

She also said that there had been a decline in the prevalence of under-nourishment from 19.3% in 1990 and 1991 to 8.5% by 2010 and 2021.

She said the percentage was below the MDGs target of 9.7% that was set for 2015.

The presidential aide said that more than 2,844 health care facilities were constructed, 6,673 health workers trained, 2.4 million insecticide treated net provided.

“It is in realisation of the above that the government, in collaboration with the UN, is hosting a presidential summit on the MDGs and post 2015 development agenda on August 18 and 19.

“The summit is expected to come up with strategies to sustain the momentum in the final push to achieving the MDGs target in the country.

“The summit will review Nigeria’s contributions to the post 2015 process so far based on emerging out and priorities at regional and global levels,” she said.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan and that of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and Elen Johnson Sirleaf would grace the occasion.