By Khalid Idris Doya The Federal Government has selected 11 local government areas in Bauchi State for the implementation of t...
By Khalid Idris Doya
The Federal Government has selected 11 local government areas in Bauchi State for the implementation of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) as part of its efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the state and other selected selected states across the country.
Speaking during the activation of the project yesterday at Hazibal Suites in Bauchi, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for initiating the project.
He described MAMII as a laudable initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health across the country.
He noted that Bauchi State has always been at the forefront of healthcare advancements and is proud to be among the beneficiaries of the MAMII initiative.
Dr. Dambam said that Bauchi had the highest maternal mortality rate in the Northeast. However, with the commitment of the current administration, significant progress has been made in reducing these figures.
He said according to 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey, Bauchi recorded over 1,500 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. However, with the perspective leadership of Bala Mohammed led administration, in the 2023 survey of NDHC, the figure was reduced by over 75% to just over 3000 per 100,000 live births an incredible achievement for the state.
He emphasised that despite this progress, the state’s goal is to eliminate maternal deaths entirely, “No woman should die due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related complications. The introduction of the MAMII project will complement the efforts of Governor Bala Mohammed in strengthening the healthcare system and improving the well-being of our people," he added.
Dr. Dambam further disclosed that 11 selected local government areas in the state will benefit from the initiative.
He highlighted Governor Bala Mohammed’s strong commitment to the health sector, noting that since the inception of his administration, healthcare has been a top priority.
“The governor has consistently allocated above the 15% benchmark of the state’s total budget to the health sector. Additionally, several healthcare facilities, especially primary healthcare centers, have been renovated,” he added.
He also announced the lifting of the embargo on healthcare recruitment in the state, which has led to the engaged of over 3,000 health workers to state workforce.
Dr. Dambam called on stakeholders, particularly healthcare professionals, to double their efforts in eliminating maternal deaths in Bauchi and Nigeria.
In her remarks, the MAMII Project Officer, Hajiya Jummai Inuwa Garba, outlined the objectives of the workshop, stating that it aims to provide an overview of the MAMII concept, intervention strategies, and the roles and responsibilities of the state.
She explained that the workshop would include field visits to communities to identify barriers contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality, based on these findings, tailored intervention plans will be co-developed to address specific challenges.
"The workshop will also secure commitments from stakeholders to ensure the effective execution of MAMII intervention strategies," she added.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, lauded the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, for prioritizing Bauchi in various health programs.
Dr. Rilwanu emphasised that the primary goal of the MAMII project is to increase healthcare facility utilisation and skilled birth attendance.
No comments