The Federal Government has sounded the alarm regarding the distressing rates of maternal and infant mortality in Sokoto State, revealing that a staggering 44 out of every 100 newborn babies in the state do not survive.
In response to this alarming statistic, the government is calling for urgent attention and the implementation of locally tailored solutions to address the crisis.
The call for action came during a recent courtesy visit by Salma Ibrahim, the Special Adviser in charge of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health, to Governor Ahmed Aliyu. Ibrahim, in her briefing, highlighted the dire situation in Sokoto State, which continues to grapple with the highest burden of maternal and infant deaths across the nation.
Drawing from data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) survey conducted in 2018, Ibrahim emphasized the severity of the issue, pointing out that the mortality rate among newborns in Sokoto State surpasses the national average by a significant margin.
She underscored the urgency of the matter, citing that the lack of access to antenatal care among pregnant women, with a staggering 73 percent opting out for reasons best known to them, exacerbates the problem.
Furthermore, Ibrahim shed light on the concerning trend of a low percentage of women opting for skilled birth attendants during delivery, further jeopardizing maternal and infant health outcomes.
She stressed the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges effectively.
Despite the grim statistics, Ibrahim acknowledged a positive trend with an increase in family planning uptake in the state, identifying it as a potential avenue to mitigate maternal deaths.
She also highlighted the President’s deep concern for the health and well-being of women and children nationwide, leading to the formulation of an accelerated emergency plan to tackle the issue head-on.
In seeking the commitment of Sokoto State, Ibrahim urged Governor Aliyu to champion efforts aimed at accelerating the reduction of maternal deaths.
She emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes behind women’s reluctance to deliver in hospitals, advocating for locally driven solutions tailored to the specific needs of the community.
In response, Governor Aliyu expressed his assurance that the state would collaborate closely with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health to enact meaningful change.
He echoed the sentiment of urgency and pledged the state’s full support in implementing targeted interventions to combat maternal and infant mortality effectively.
The collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and Sokoto State underscore a shared commitment to address the pressing issue of maternal and infant mortality, emphasizing the importance of localized solutions and concerted action to safeguard the health and well-being of women and children across the nation.
