UNICEF Urges Action on Low Birth Registration in Cross River

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed alarm regarding the low birth registration rates among children in Cross River State. During an engagement at the Primary Health Centre in Ekpo Abasi, Ward 12, Calabar South, UNICEF Chief of Nutrition, Nemat Hajeebhoy, emphasized that birth registration is a fundamental right of every child.

She noted that Cross River is “lagging a bit behind” in this area and urged Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and health workers to mobilize parents to ensure all children are registered. Hajeebhoy highlighted the importance of birth certificates for accessing government services and identity documents as children grow older.

She called on fathers to take responsibility for registration and encouraged WDCs to prioritize this issue at the community level. Juliet Chiluwe, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Enugu, also identified birth registration as needing greater attention, despite positive progress in child health and nutrition in collaboration with UNICEF.

Concerns were also raised about declining rates of early and exclusive breastfeeding in the state.