UNICEF, Kano To Tackle Rising Maternal, Child Mortality

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board to tackle rising maternal and child mortality.

UNICEF’s chief of field operations and emergency in Nigeria, Judith Leveillee, said the situation required urgent attention in 18 local government areas covering over 200 wards.

Leveillee spoke during a state-level training on the Maternal, Neonatal and Child Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative organised by the board in collaboration with UNICEF.

She disclosed that only about 50 per cent of pregnant women in Kano are attended to by skilled health providers, while just 36 per cent deliver with the assistance of skilled birth attendants.

According to her, under-five mortality in the state stands at 158 per 1,000 live births, describing the figure as a major public health concern requiring coordinated and sustained intervention.

She noted that UNICEF is supporting the implementation of the initiative alongside the Community-Based Health Worker programme across the targeted wards.

Leveillee commended the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Kano State Government for aligning with national health priorities to reduce mortality rates.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim, represented by the Director of Family Health, Aliyu Zubair Maidutse, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to delivering quality, people-centred healthcare services.

He said adopting the initiative would improve efficiency and responsiveness in primary healthcare delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Community Health Services at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nana Sanda Abubakar, stressed the need for sustained collaboration, capacity building and strategic coordination to ensure successful implementation.

She added that partnerships remain critical to improving health outcomes and expanding access to essential services in the state.