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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Dr. Salma Ibrahim-Anas, the Special Adviser to the President Bola Tinubu on Health, has advised Sokoto State government to adopt homegrown solutions for sustainable and improved maternal and newborn health outcomes in the state.
She also stated that highest level of political commitment is required to accelerate the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths in the state and beyond.
She presented the suggestions to the Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, at a meeting on Acceleration of Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Deaths in the state.
She reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to improve access to health care delivering in Nigeria through accelerated Universal Health Coverage (UHC) drive that would leave no one behind.
She said: “This Presidential initiative on Acceleration of Reduction of Maternal Deaths is critical and integral towards attainment of the UHC aspirations of the government, and Sokoto is one of the few states selected to focus on the project.
“The situation, as demonstrated by Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2018 and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, is not encouraging, hence the project that focuses on reducing the cases of maternal and newborn deaths.
“It has been proven that majority of the deaths associated with pregnancy, childbirth and post-delivery, as well as deaths related to the newborns are preventable (almost by 90%) using simple/homegrown health interventions.
“It is a quick win to attain UHC and strengthen health service delivery, improve physical and mental wellbeing and productivity of individuals, families and communities, and also a political score that are palpable and demonstrable within the shortest period.”
“It is a two prong-approach that focuses on state-led and homegrown solutions. Explore local contexts, existing strengths, key social-cultural determinants, and deploy home-grown solutions for sustainable health outcomes.” She added.
