Kaduna Govt, UNICEF Partner On Maternal, Child Mortality Reduction

The Kaduna State Government has inaugurated the 2025 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW) at Rigachikun, Primary Healthcare Centre, in Igabi LGA of the state to reduce maternal and child mortality.

The inauguration performed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, on Monday in Kaduna, was with the support of UNICEF and other development partners.

Balarabe expressed the state’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality rates, citing alarming statistics from the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.

She noted that maternal, newborn and child deaths were preventable and unacceptable. She highlighted the state government’s efforts to improve healthcare, including upgrading 255 primary healthcare centers to Care Level 2, enrolling over 70,000 vulnerable persons in the State Health Insurance Scheme, and establishing a Department of Family Health.

The deputy governor called on health workers, traditional and religious leaders, parents, and caregivers to work together to protect life, seek care, and demand quality healthcare.

She thanked the partners for their efforts in saving lives and expressed her determination to write a new story of health, hope, and healing for every mother, child, and family in Kaduna State.

Dr. Bello Jamoh, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, said the week-long celebration was a national programme aimed at delivering critical health services to communities.

He said that the state also engaged in immunisation against human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer in adolescent girls. According to him, approximately 12,000 beneficiaries are targeted statewide, with a focus on the vulnerable populations.

Jamoh said that Igabi LGA was chosen for the inauguration of the MNCHW due to its large population and poor health indices. He emphasised the importance of community mobilisation to access the free services, which would be provided in primary health care centers across the state.

“The free services include screening for malnutrition, nutrition supplements, and health education on food hygiene and nutrition. Pregnant women will also receive antenatal care, health education, and supplements to boost their blood levels,” he said.

The executive secretary expressed happiness in being part of the project and thanked the local government for their support. He said the event marked the beginning of the first phase of the MNCHW, with a second phase expected in October or November.

Adamu Usman, Nutrition Data Assistant at UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, assured of the success of the exercise. She said that several activities had been carried out, including state of preparedness meetings and distribution of vaccines to facilities across all the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

“The vaccines are already at the facilities, and services are ongoing,” he said.

Usman described MNCHW as a “life-saving week” because of the various services being provided, such as nutrition, screening for malnutrition and immunization. Others are nutrition education, health talks, hand washing and food demonstrations.

He said that the services rendered were lifesaving, and helps in identifying, treating and promoting healthy practices.

“The aim is to reduce mortality rates and improve the overall well-being of families in Kaduna State,” he said.

Kaduna Govt, UNICEF Partner On Maternal, Child Mortality Reduction is first published on The Whistler Newspaper