The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has donated 3,700 Mama kits containing essential items for clean and safe childbirth to pregnant women in Borno state.
This is part of the organisation’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality in the state.
The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, disclosed this on Thursday during the launch of the distribution of Mama kits to 13 Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative Priority local government areas of the state.
Busiku said the items became necessary following the prevalence of child birth mortality in the state.
Quoting him, “Borno state has been identified as one of the states in Nigeria that contributes a significant proportion to maternal and Neonatal Mortality. Every day, women face life-threatening risks for bringing new life into the world.
“Putting numbers to it, one woman dies giving birth in every 8 minutes. These are not just numbers, they are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, compatriots and future leaders lost to preventable causes.”
The field officer emphasised that the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative aligns with UNICEF’s core mandate of protecting children and women.
He said UNICEF is committed to ensuring that no woman dies giving birth, and every child is given the chance to survive, thrive, and develop into their full potential.
He added that UNICEF has supported them in providing 3,700 Mama kits which are pre-packed delivery kits containing essential items for clean and safe childbirth.
Bukisu, however, called on stakeholders, including the government, traditional leaders, civil society, and development partners, to join hands in scaling up the intervention.
“Let us remember; every safe birth is a victory, every mother saved is a future secured, and every newborn alive is a promise kept”, he said.
