…… activities have increased RMNCAH+N
The Gombe State Family Planning Coordinator, Grace Mabudi, has lauded mama2mama initiative for supporting the uptake of child spacing in the state.
Mabudi made this disclosure in an interview with journalists, while commemorating International Women’s Day at Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Annex, organised by The Challenge Initiative.
Our correspondent reports that 2024 IWD has the theme ‘Invest in Women- Accelerate progress’.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that mother to mother otherwise known as Mama2Mama is an initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund.
According to Mabudi, Mama2mama alongside Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services have increased well-being through their informed sensitisation across various communities bordering on Reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health + nutrition.
Mabudi said, “We have our chips and mama2mama agents, who have been trained to give counselling in the community to both men and women groups in the community and also house-house. They do most of the sensitisation to community members.
“They have been doing great because we get their reports. Mama2mama is one of the strategies used which is yielding results because when they refer there is a booklet that shows that they have seen these women in their communities and referral is completed in the facility. They are generating more demand for all RMNCAH+N activities.”
While harping the need for women to take ownership of their health Mabudi added, “Women should be empowered to be able to take ownership of their health with the support of their husbands and men around.”
She commended the support of TCI through it business unusual model, adding that it has ensured unique opportunities for the uptake of family planning in Gombe State.
Also speaking, Programme Manager of TCI Yakubu Abubakar, noted that support for women is imperative to achieving development in the country.
Abubakar lauded authorities for enhancing reproductive health services to increase the health of women.
While commending the state government for allocating funds for the procurement of family planning commodities, he ascribed that to uptake resulting from this initiative
On her part, 27-year-old Dauda Sabina, urged the government to amplify the voices of young women through deliberate initiatives, adding “It will promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. when you bring young women to the table, as agents of change in driving progress towards a more equitable society.”
Sabina while bemoaning the barriers inhibiting youths progress, she added, “A lot of work needs to be done; when they are engaged their lives will be more productive.”
