Health
Sokoto sets up committees to curb maternal, child deaths
By Animashaun Salman
The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, has inaugurated State Steering and Local Government Committees on Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response.
The committees are expected to strengthen the review of maternal, perinatal and child deaths and improve the state’s response to preventable deaths.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, said the initiative was part of efforts to identify gaps in the health system and ensure effective interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality.
The commissioner, who is also the Chairman of the State Steering Committee, was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi.
He said the committees would “identify gaps, promote transparency and accountability” and ensure the effective implementation of measures aimed at reducing maternal, perinatal and child mortality across the state.
According to him, addressing maternal and child deaths requires a multi-sectoral approach involving relevant government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders. He commended UNFPA for its continued technical support to the state.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Bilyaminu Yari Sifawa, represented by the Director of Disease Control, Dr. Tukur Magaji, described the initiative as timely.
He expressed optimism that the implementation of MPCDSR would contribute significantly to reducing preventable deaths across the state.
The UNFPA State Team Lead, Dr. Rabiatu Sageer, noted that the primary objective of the initiative was to save the lives of women during pregnancy and childbirth.
Dr. Sageer assured the gathering and the residents that, through the SARAH funding support, UNFPA would continue to provide technical assistance to strengthen the implementation of MPCDSR in Sokoto State.
She also urged members of the Local Government Technical Working Groups to discharge their responsibilities diligently, stressing that their commitment was essential to achieving the objectives of the initiative.
The inauguration was followed by a two-day orientation meeting for members of the Local Government Technical Working Groups on MPCDSR.
Other officials who spoke at the event included the Executive Director of the Sokoto State Health Services Management Board, Dr. Bello Abubakar Attahiru; Director of Public Health, Dr. Abdulganiyu Yusuf; Director of Medical Services, Abubakar Adamu; Deputy Director of International Cooperation, Jamila Abubakar Gatawa; and representatives of development partners.
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