From John Bassey, Gusau
Zamfara state government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health engaged Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) to maternal and newborn mortality reduction.
This was done in a five day workshop programmed to sensitize all primary healthcare workers in the state on an improved approach to enhancing maternal and newborn well-being, held at Taula Hall in Gusau.
At the occasion, the Zamfara state Commissioner For Health, Dr. Nafisa Mohammed Maradun said, the introduction of Maternal And Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative MAMII by the Federal Government is a Clarion call and a strategic step demanding our collective efforts to improve maternal and newborn health across Nigeria.
Also, MAMII is a platform that brings together ideas, evidence based intervention and community proven solutions to ensure that no woman dies while giving life.
In Zamfara state, Governor Dauda Lawal’s led administration has made healthcare of every resident a top priority, evidenced via renovations, employment of staff and equipping primary Healthcare centers with modern facilities to boost their functionality for service delivery both day and night hours.
She mentioned that, Primary Healthcare centers are the first and most crucial places of contact for both mothers and children, and disclosed that Doctors, mid-wives, nurses and community health workers are currently being recruited for Primary Healthcare centers across the State.
Maradun urged participants to approach the workshop with the sense of innovation, determination and active commitment to protect the interest of maternal and newborn children in their respective primary Healthcare centers.
In his words, the national coordinator of MAMII, Dr. Mustafa Umar-Sadiq represented by the Deputy director of health from the federal ministry of health and coordinating officer of SWAP, Dr. Omoruyi Iyahen said the major objective of MAMII is to reduce the rate of maternal and newborn mortality.
He maintained that the initiative has recorded outstanding achievements especially in the 32 States so far visited, the challenges identified in different Hospitals inspected in the course of their visit are currently being addressed.
Presence at the commencement of the five days workshop were stakeholders, partners and donor agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, and others.