By Abdulfatai Abdulsalami, Sokoto
The Federal Government on Friday launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) in Sokoto State, with a bold pledge to drastically cut down maternal and infant deaths across the country.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health reform agenda, designed to transform maternal and child healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the launch held at the palace of the District Head of Shuni in Denge Shuni Local Government, Dr. Adam Ahmad of the Federal Ministry of Health described MAMII as a turning point in Nigeria’s quest to save mothers and newborns.
According to him, the Federal Government is revamping primary healthcare centres nationwide to meet Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care standards, while at least one facility in every local government will be upgraded for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care.
“Transportation has long been a stumbling block in maternal care. That’s why we are strengthening the National Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (NEMSAS) and the Rural Emergency Transport System (RETS) to ensure no woman in labour is stranded,” Ahmad said.
He added that government funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) will boost infrastructure, workforce capacity, and service delivery, with Sokoto chosen as a pilot due to its alarming maternal and infant mortality rates.
Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, said Governor Ahmed Aliyu has already inaugurated a task force to fast-track implementation of MAMII, backed by agencies including the State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the State Emergency Ambulance Service.
“We have a clear roadmap. Within days, the task force will swing into action to make safe delivery accessible to every pregnant woman in Sokoto,” he assured, noting that the state’s health insurance scheme will also support vulnerable women.
In a show of traditional backing, the District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, pledged the full support of the Sultanate Council, promising grassroots mobilization to drive community participation.
The host, District Head of Shuni, Alhaji Muhammad Jabbi, also vowed to rally community leaders to ensure pregnant women in his domain embrace the initiative.
The programme will first take off in Denge Shuni, Goronyo, Isa, and Sabon Birni LGAs before spreading across the state.
