Post COVID-19: UNICEF Calls for Urgent Action on Children’s Mental Health

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday, called for urgent action on children’s mental health after COVID-19 Pandemic.

Team Leader for Kano State Field Office of UNICEF, Mr. Micheal Banda, made the call during the 2021 Nigerian Children’s Day celebration in Kano.

Banda noted that the pandemic had an economic, physical, mental, and psychological effect on children thus the need for revival.

According to him, “UNICEF had conducted many interventions for the children and came up with programmes on televisions, radios and social media, in partnership with many bodies.

“We utilized radio and television programmes in informing the children about COVID-19 prevention tips and protocols.’’

Banda, who is also UNICEF’s Education Manager, said the fund had also sensitized teachers and headteachers on COVID-19 protocols in schools.

He said that UNICEF had donated more than 400 handwashing stations to schools and created awareness on how to use them.

Banda said the fund had trained more than 100 health workers in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States, on case management of COVID-19.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board in Kano State, Dr. Danlami Haido, commended UNICEF for its support.

The chairman, who was represented by Alhaji Baba Saleh, tasked children with a commitment to education.

He said, “Now is the best time you have to face your education in order to be influential in the near future.’’

He also pledged the government’s continuous support to the well-being of the Nigerian child.

Some of the activities conducted by school children included class exercises that would boost their mental health.

A day is an annual event marked on every May 27 to create awareness of the Rights of children.

The theme for the 2021 Children’s Day celebration is “Unite to reverse the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on children.’’

NAN