The Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam has expressed determination of the State Government in partnership with the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to curb maternal and neonatal death.
El-Imam stated this on Tuesday in Ilorin during the Official Handing Over of Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBCC) equipment and supplies from UNICEF distributed to
to heads of beneficiary health facilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative was under the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH).
The commissioner recalled that this is a concerted efforts by the State Government with the support of UNICEF through the EU-SARAH initiative.
She pointed out that the lives of Kwara mothers and their babies are worth saving and that the State Government will do all it takes to ensure no mother and babies dies during birth.
El-Imam emphasised that healthcare workers are eager to capitalize on the advantage that such equipment will bring to the healthcare delivery in the State.
According to her, the East African country of Tanzania were able to achieve the feat of bringing down maternal, neonatal deaths to 75 percent and that Kwara is determined to reach and surpass such feat.
She advised on the efficient and effective use of the tools and equipment, by the healthcare workers, saying that the tools are expected to help in training healthcare workers in safe delivery of mother and child.
Also speaking, the UNICEF representative in Kwara, Dr Danlami Uthman described the life saving tools as “a dream come true and fulfilment of the pledge to reduce maternal, neonatal deaths.
He commented that State Government initiatives and programmes geared towards improving the health of citizen in the State.
Speaking earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, described the initiative as very important in curbing maternal, neonatal deaths.
“Infants have great chance of surviving without morbidity. This equipment will ensure quality training in the State,,” he said.
Also speaking, the Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr Kafayat Kofo commended the State Government, EU and UNICEF for the initiative, adding that this is an investment in ensuring safety of mothers and newborns in Kwara.
Some of the equipment and tools includes Moyo foetal heart rate monitor,
Neonatalie live, Mama natalie, Mama birthie, Flip Charts and Medication Table among others.
