From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has raised concern that only 10 per cent of pregnant women in Sokoto State deliver their babies in hospitals or other health facilities.
CS-SUNN Team Lead for Partnership and Collaboration, Malam Shuaibu Musa Kafin-Gana, disclosed this on Thursday in Sokoto during an advocacy visit to the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Citing the 2023 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Kafin-Gana said the figure underscored the need for intensified efforts to promote safe delivery and access to skilled birth attendants across the state.
The visit formed part of a three-day engagement by CS-SUNN with key stakeholders to strengthen support for nutrition programmes and advocate for the extension of maternity leave for civil servants in Sokoto State from four to six months.
Kafin-Gana said the engagement was also designed to highlight progress made by the state in reducing malnutrition, provide authorities with updates on current nutrition indicators and advocate for the timely release of funds for child nutrition programmes.
He expressed concern over the prevalence of anaemia, which he said affects more than one million children and mothers in the state.
According to him, more efforts are required to encourage women of childbearing age to give birth in hospitals, clinics or under the supervision of trained birth attendants in their communities.
He said increasing access to skilled delivery services would help reduce risks associated with childbirth and protect the lives of mothers and newborns.
Responding, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, commended CS-SUNN for its advocacy and contribution to the fight against malnutrition and anaemia in Sokoto State.
Alkali disclosed that the state government had earmarked more than N6 billion for the rehabilitation of nine irrigation schemes as part of efforts to strengthen food security, boost agricultural production and enhance economic opportunities.
He said the investment was necessary given Sokoto State’s vast irrigable land and potential for the production of cash crops and various food commodities.
The commissioner assured the delegation of the ministry’s support, pledging to promote initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and strengthening food security across the state.
Other members of the CS-SUNN delegation included Programme Officer Muna Nzelibe; former Steering Committee Capacity Building Lead, Silas Spencer Ideva; CS-SUNN State Ex-Officio, Rabiu Bello Gandi; and Executive Director of PCSDI, Sokoto State, Nura Bello Suleman Tangaza.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
