FG moves to tackle maternal, neonatal mortality in 172 LGA’s

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The Federal Government through the Ministry of health and Social welfare  have engaged key stakeholders to adopt the maternal and Neonatal mortality reduction innovation initiative (MAMII) in Adamawa state.

Speaking at a two-day capacity building training on the MAMII approach in Yola Mr. Ogeh Ajirioghede, an official of the Sector wide approach (SWAP) coordination office of the Ministry (FMOHSE), said the initiative is one of the reforms of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed to crash the challenge of maternal and neonatal mortality in the country.

Ajirioghede disclosed that 172 local government areas across 31 states have been identified with the highest rates for the maternal and neonatal deaths which called for concern, so that necessary actions are taken in addressing the disturbing trend.

He confirmed that nine (9) LGAs in Adamawa state have been selected among 172 councils contributing to the 55% mortality rate of in the country, thus attracted for intervention through awareness campaigns with stakeholders so as to reduce the problem in the affected communities.

“We are here to identify the drivers of the maternal and neonatal deaths so that we will design a context specific initiatives that would help in reducing the mortality in these LGAs so that at the end of the day,we achieve the goal to crash maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.

“Our collaboration is with  stakeholders like traditional leaders,LGA teams,MDA’s, insurance firms, state primary health care development agencies and the development partners just to adapt a coordinated approach.

“Also we are addressing issues of health facilities, service readiness and access when these selected LGA’s are being optimized to provide services,they will actually help in reducing the deaths”, Ajirioghede declared.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Felix Tangwami, the Commissioner of Health and Human services expressed worries with the staggering aggregate of the affected communities clocking up to 55% noting that it is a serious health issue that needs urgent attention.

Tangwami noted that most of these cases of mortality challenges are caused by delay in deliveries, ignorance among the womenfolk about pregnancy, cultural and religious backgrounds and lack of community mobilization.

Tangwami stated that the programme was initiated and conceptualized between the Federal, state and local governments to tackle the women and children deaths which began last year, (2024) stressing that stakeholders are invited to work assiduously towards the implementation of the MAMII approach in the state.

He therefore charged all participants in the training to be serious about the issue at hand with a view to safeguarding the lives of our women and children in the society

“Stakeholders are being sensitized on the right measures to adopt in tackling the maternal and neonatal mortality in the state and country at large”, Tangwami maintained.

Our Correspondent reports that the workshop titled “MAMll : Nigeria’s Innova tion Hub for Healthier Births”, was attended by 90 participants from health sector, traditional institution, religious based organizations and the media.