ONDO GOVT PARTNERS FG FOR MATERNAL AND NEONATAL MORTALITY REDUCTION
By Bisi Lawani
Towards the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality by 30% by year 2027, Ondo state government in partnership with the Federal government has organized a 5-day workshop for stakeholder in the health sector to create a template for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
The programme tagged ” Maternal and Newborn Morality Reduction Innovation and initiative ( MAMII) Co creation is with the objective to provide overview of the concept of MAMII invention suites, roles and responsible of state for effective execution and to conduct deep – dive visit to communities to uncover barriers contributing to maternal and neonatal mortality across priority Local Government Areas
It is also to co- create state context specific intervention suites as well as activation of plans bases on deep- dive visits to obtain commitment from stakeholders towards effective execution of the programme in the state
While giving the keynote address the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa who was represented by the Special Adviser, Prof Micheal Odimayo noted that the state was committed to reducing drastically maternal mortality through on going health sector reform among which are upgrading of 102 Primary Healthcare centred as part of the effort to enhancing effective health car services in the state.
The governor described the MAMII initiative as a transformative effort which would lower maternal and newborn mortality rate.
He commended the Federal government for the initiative while noting that the state participation reaffirmed the collective commitment to protecting the lives and women and children in all communities in the state.
” We recognize that improving health outcomes requires deliberate and sustained investment, not only in infrastructure but also in the welfare and well-being of our health workforce and wider population”
The governor stressed that reducing maternal and newborn mortality requires intentional policy measures, responsive health system, continuous community engagement and a skilled motivated workforce. He expressed optimistic that the outcomes of the 5-day co- creation workshop would yield locally relevant candidates impactful intervention
Speaking, the Director, Child Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare, Dr Amina Muhammed noted that MAMII is a strategic tool to drive improvement in maternal and neonatal care in the country as Nigerian Healthcare system is challenged by high maternal and neonatal mortality rate particularly preterm and low birth weight infant.
She added that the country ranks third globally in the number of preterm birth with about 773,600 annual cases while an estimated 274,000 died in 2022.
According to her, preterm birth complication remains the most significant contributor to under five death responsible for one in three of such death.
She described the workshop as a step towards activating the MAMII initiation in the state noting that 33 states of the federation and 171 Local government Areas have been identified as high burdened for maternal and newborn mortality in Nigeria
The Permanent secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomala noted Ondo State has in the past intervened in maternal and neonatal mortality through Abiye and Agbebiye programme which got many awards and accolades around the world.
Dr Ikuomola stressed the the Local Government where the MAMII intervention programme will be taking place are : Ese-odo, Akure South, Ifedore, Ondo West and Owo Local Government Areas.
The Adapogun of Ipogun, Oba Raphael Oluwadare Ojo appealed to the Federal Government to include other Local Government in the State in the Project total elimination of maternal and neonatal mortality in Ondo State.
