From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara State has announced the conclusion of adequate provisions meant for free maternal services and free treatment for children under the age of five across the fourteen local government areas of the state.
Matawalle, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Bello Bala Maru, made the declaration yesterday while flagging off of the Maternal, Newborn Child Health Week (MNCH-W) at Gusau Emirate in Gusau, the state capital.
The Governor said his administration has made a significant strides towards getting to the 350 target of maternal death per 100,000 live birth upon the pending conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and onset of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
“Currently, the government is providing free maternal services, free treatments of children under five and has scaled up immunisation coverage. There is a deliberate effort to strengthen the primary healthcare under roof.
“That includes improving infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers to deal effectively with maternal, neonatal and child survival challenges at all levels as MNCH Health week campaign was inspired by the realization that the causes of maternal and child deaths are largely preventable.
“It is also gratifying to note that, the 14 local government councils of the state have so far undertaken targeted actions to deliver on our commitments. This flag off marked the commencement of a determined and sustained efforts to address the maternal and child morbidity and mortality in our dear state”, Matawalle assured.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Habibu Yalwa announced that, the state government has paid the sum of one hundred million naira being its counterpart funds with a view to achieving humanitarian services rendered by donor agencies including UNICEF, Save the Children, WHO, NCDC, SIGHT SAVERS, MNCH in the state.
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