by Suresh Pd Nikhar
Gaya: A national team from UNICEF visited Gaya on Wednesday to assess the implementation of maternal and child health programs in the district. The team reviewed healthcare services at the grassroots level, focusing on facilities for pregnant women, mothers, infants, and adolescents.
Led by Margaret Gavada, UNICEF Bihar Chief Field Officer, the delegation included Program Manager Shivendra Pandey, Health Specialist Dr. S.S.S. Reddy, Communication Officer Mona Singh, and others. The team conducted field inspections at Azad Bigha Anganwadi Center under Rajpur Health Center, where they interacted with beneficiaries, Asha workers, Panchayati Raj representatives, and Jeevika Didis, praising the quality of vaccination, nutrition, and health services.
Later, the team visited Prabhavati Hospital’s 24-bed Maternal Neonatal Care Unit, interacted with mothers, and expressed satisfaction with the care provided.
During a meeting with District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar, the team was briefed on district initiatives like the Dr. Ambedkar Samagra Abhiyan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and 100% child vaccination efforts. The DM highlighted progress in Mahadalit settlements, especially in women’s skill development and adolescent health through the Udaan program in Tikari block.
The UNICEF team appreciated the district’s efforts, calling it a strong model of community health empowerment and inclusive development.
