UNICEF moves to end Maternal mortality in Gombe
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Banu Pathak, says the organization’s intervention has helped to reduce maternal mortality by 58 percent since 2019 in Kwami Local Government of Gombe State.
Pathak made this disclosure on Thursday, during official handing/ taking over of 10 revitalized Primary Health Care Centres , which marked the official flag off of Basic Health Care provision fund (BHCPF) at Daban Fulani, inaugurated by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.
He revealed that in the last 2 years UNICEF had invested four hundred million naira in Gombe state health sector along with technical assistance for health system strengthening, Immunization Plus Days IPDs, maternal new born interventions including nutrition interventions.
Pathak said, “The partnership has established and trained 30 women (mama-mama), support groups who mobilize, educate and support pregnant women, newborns and children for optimal utilization of health services.
“18,809 pregnant women were reached with Antenatal Care (ANC) in 2020 which represents a 58 percent increase from 2019 coverage. 5,916 mothers were reached with skilled health workers during delivery in 2020, with 46 percent increase from 2019.
“Children who received appropriate treatment for any of the childhood illnesses, also increased 7,827 in 2019 to 8,749 in 2020. We are optimistic that with the improved working environment on infrastructure, capacities and supplies afforded to these health facilities, no woman and child in Kwami LGA will be missed out in accessing the essential promotive, preventive, treatment and care delivered from the health facilities.”
He added that this is part of a million USD support from China’s South-South Cooperation fund to assist developing countries to accelerate progress towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also, Governor Yahaya, who was represented by his deputy Dr. Manassah Jatau, called on the benefiting communities to take ownership of facilities, adding that regular and prompt patronage will further reduce the state’s maternal mortality ratio.
He said the State Government has fulfilled it election promises of equipping Primary Health Centres across 114 wards of Gombe.
