The Federal Ministry of Health has identified 15 local government areas (LGAs) in Katsina State among those with highest maternal and child mortality rates in Nigeria.
The Sector-Wide Coordinator and National Coordinator of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Muntaqa Sadiq Umar, made the disclosure during the closing ceremony of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) in Katsina.
Umar who was represented at the event by Mr. Omoruyi Iyahen said Nigeria has long struggled with poor health indices, especially in maternal and child health adding that MAMII was designed to change that narrative by working directly with states.
He noted that out of 172 LGAs nationwide identified as high-risk zones for maternal mortality, 15 are located in Katsina alone, prompting the Federal Government to prioritise the state in its intervention plans.
“The Minister of Health gave us a clear mandate to go beyond policies in Abuja and get to the heart of the problem. That’s why Katsina is a priority. With the efforts seen here, especially from the state government and the First Lady, we believe results will start to change even before 2027,” he added.
Similarly, the first lady of Katsina State, Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, expressed deep concern over the escalating rates of maternal and neonatal mortality in the state, describing the situation as “distressing and unacceptable.”
According to recent data, Katsina records over 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal deaths exceed 66 per 1,000 live births, placing the state among the worst nationwide.
“These figures represent far more than statistics, they are the lives of women with dreams, families, and futures lost to preventable causes,” Radda said.
She highlighted the work of her NGO, the Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative (SASHI), which has trained 50 community-based volunteers to promote antenatal care and safe deliveries among expectant mothers in rural areas.
“Our volunteers are on the ground, encouraging women to attend clinics and deliver their babies in health facilities,” she said.
Hajia Radda further emphasised the role of community engagement in bridging the gap between healthcare services and the people who need them most.
As Katsina prepares to ramp up its intervention efforts, both federal and state stakeholders expressed optimism that the grim health indices can be reversed through collaboration, innovation, and community involvement.
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