The National Population Commission (NPC) has begun the conduct of a health survey to check the prevalence of maternal death, malaria, among other diseases affecting the health of residents in the territory.
NPC’s Federal Commissioner of FCT, Joseph Shazin Kwali, stated that the survey which is under the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) sought to provide strategic planning, collaborative efforts, interventions by the federal government in targeting health issues facing Nigerians.
Kwali said the commission is conducting the survey on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health and its partners.
While stating that its workers are already on the field, he said the survey would be conducted in five area councils of Gwagwalada, Kwali, AMAC, Bwari and Kuje with over 500 households identified.
“This survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contribute to the broader development agenda of our nation. Together, we have elevated this survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria,” he said.
The FCT Director of the NPC, Suleiman Zakari, said the survey which would end in April would see its officials spending three days with respondents.
He said the survey would also provide information on height of children in the territory to determine the number of those with stunted growth.