According to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), a child’s first 1000 days of life are a crucial window of time during which they can survive and develop to the best extent possible.

However, according to Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief of Field Officer for UNICEF Bauchi, the 1000 days begin at the time of conception and span the first 270 days of pregnancy as well as the first two years of the child’s life.

During a news briefing hosted by the UN agency in Bauchi, Dr. Rane clarified that the 270-day period comprises going to a primary healthcare center for immunizations for the woman till the child is born, nutrition advice, and medical services during antenatal care.

“It is to be followed by immunisation of the child, then nutrition caller which provides counseling, vis-a-vis exclusive and exclusive breastfeeding till the child reaches two years of age,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Kate Henshaw, a UNICEF team member, emphasized the value of journalists in promoting mothers’ and children’s health as well as in distributing vital information to the public at large.

After the team’s advocacy visit, Henshaw, a UNICEF Nigeria ambassador, expressed her admiration for Governor Bala Mohammed, highlighting his interest in nutrition funds, which support providing children with the proper care and nourishment until they reach adulthood.

In addition, the UNICEF ambassador described the team’s advocacy visit to Dass, where they visited Usman Bilyaminu Othman, the Emir, and discussed nutrition, the need of RTF and supplements for a kid, and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for a child’s first six months of life as a basis for good health.

Thus, the ambassador emphasized that in order for both of them to contribute to the betterment of society, journalists must spread the messages that are conveyed to them as widely as possible in their reporting to the public and even to themselves.

Henshaw also expressed her happiness that women in the areas she visited had taken up the cause with such vigor since she believed it was improving the lives of the children.

She went on to say that a sick child would put a strain on the community’s health services, which is why it is important for kids to grow up and participate in the economy’s development in order to make a constructive contribution to society.

Henshaw therefore advocated for the establishment of more primary healthcare facilities in more accessible locations to bring services to people’s doorsteps, particularly for patients, while pointing out that it is inconvenient to travel great distances in order to receive services, especially when using uncomfortable modes of transportation like motorcycles or bikes.