From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Taraba State government has intensified efforts to tackle maternal mortality following the successful completion of a nine-day intensive training program for master trainers on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).
The training, which was organized by the Life Spring Development Foundation in collaboration with the Taraba State government and supported by the Sector-Wide Approach Programme (SWAp), the initiative focused on building the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver integrated RMNCAH services throughout the state. The training session was held in Jalingo, the state capital.
Also, the nine-day intensive workshop was designed to equip participants with practical skills in key clinical areas, including family planning, infection prevention, antenatal and delivery care, management of obstetric emergencies, post-abortion care, and responses to gender-based violence.
According to the organizers, participants are expected to develop post-training mentorship and on-the-job training schedules to cascade these skills to 35 Primary Health Care (PHC) centers across two designated local government areas, aiming to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, the Country Director of the Life Spring Development Foundation, Dr. David Ebodaghe—represented by Dr. Ojukwu Mark Ojukwu—stated that the initiative aims to improve access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for women across the state.
He commended Governor Agbu Kefas, the State Ministry of Health, and the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency for their commitment to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
Ebodaghe stressed that strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers is critical to delivering quality care and urged the state government to provide ongoing support to the master trainers so they can effectively carry out their duties.
He added that, beyond certificates of participation, outstanding trainees might be awarded certificates of merit in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the SWAp office.
The lead facilitator, Dr. Jedidiah D.K. Sodje, noted that the 12 master trainers visited several health facilities during the program, where they provided family planning services and conducted competency assessments.
Onyeka Nwosu, the Program Manager for the foundation, expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly reduce the disease burden and maternal deaths in Taraba.
He emphasized that the success of family planning and maternal health interventions depends largely on the competence of healthcare providers, who are now equipped to train staff in the pilot local government areas.
Dr. Nuhu Tukura, Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, acknowledged the high rates of maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality in the state but expressed optimism that the training would help reverse the trend.
He identified Lau and Zing—two of the five local government areas contributing significantly to these statistics—as initial focus areas.
Tukura also urged healthcare providers to prioritize improved communication and rapport with patients.
“As clinical personnel, you must have listening ears. There should be rapport between you and your clients.
“All clients should be allowed to make informed decisions about their care,” he stated.
He further encouraged the trainees to step down the knowledge and skills acquired to other healthcare workers, noting that this effort would enhance the quality of healthcare services statewide.
He assured the public that the government remains committed to strengthening referral systems and ensuring the timely procurement and distribution of essential medical commodities to health facilities.
Following the ceremony, participants pledged to apply the knowledge gained to improve healthcare outcomes and contribute to a measurable reduction in maternal mortality within their communities.
