The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Friday inaugurated the State-Local Government Steering Committees on Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR).
The inauguration formed part of efforts to strengthen review, notification and response to maternal, perinatal and child deaths through the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) Project in Nigeria.
The project is funded by the European Union (EU), while the committees are expected to improve coordination, accountability and implementation of interventions targeting maternal, perinatal and child mortality across Sokoto State.
The committees were inaugurated by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar-Wurno, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Ibrahim Haliru-Dingyadi, in Sokoto during Friday’s ceremony.
Umar-Wurno said establishment of the committees was aimed at identifying gaps, strengthening transparency and accountability, and ensuring effective implementation of interventions to reduce maternal, perinatal and child mortality in Sokoto State.
He jointly noted that the committees’ work required maximum harmony, alongside multisectoral and multidisciplinary approaches, to ensure effective coordination, planning and implementation of strategies for improved health outcomes across Sokoto State.
“The participation of relevant government institutions, health professionals, development partners and other stakeholders was critical to achieving the desired results,” he said.
The commissioner emphasised the importance of accurate, timely and reliable data in understanding the causes of maternal and newborn deaths and guiding appropriate interventions to address identified gaps effectively, promptly and appropriately.
He further charged committee members to live up to expectations and educate others about committee activities in their respective communities to ensure wider understanding, participation and accountability in implementation efforts consistently.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHDA), Dr Bilyaminu Yari-Sifawa, represented by the Director of Disease Control, Dr Tukur Magaji, described the initiative as timely.
Yari-Sifawa expressed optimism that the committee would effectively discharge its responsibilities and contribute significantly to reducing preventable maternal, perinatal and child deaths across the state through coordinated action and stronger collaboration.
The Executive Director, Sokoto State Health Services Management Board, Dr Bello Abubakar, commended the ministry and pledged the commitment of general hospitals to supporting the initiative and improving maternal healthcare services.
Abubakar said that the board had initiated timely reviews of maternal mortality and newborn deaths in general hospitals to assess the situation, identify gaps and strengthen the quality of services provided.
In her remarks, the UNFPA State Team Lead, Dr Rabiatu Sageer, expressed delight over the inauguration, stressing the importance of collective action to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Sokoto.
Sageer said the initiative was about bringing change and saving lives, rather than merely establishing a committee, adding that collective responsibility remained crucial to preventing avoidable deaths in Sokoto State.
“Preventing women from dying during pregnancy and childbirth was a collective responsibility,” she said, emphasising the need for sustained action and commitment from all stakeholders across Sokoto communities and families alike.
“The initiative requires concerted efforts of government, healthcare providers, communities, development partners and other stakeholders.”
She said the collaboration was essential for achieving improvements in maternal health outcomes in the state.
“Through SARAH funding, UNFPA would continue to provide technical support to strengthen the implementation of the MPCDSR initiative and contribute to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes in Sokoto,” she added.
She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to strengthening interventions aimed at improving maternal, perinatal and child health through sustained technical support, advocacy, collaboration and community engagement, alongside stronger stakeholder partnerships in Sokoto State.
Other speakers included the Executive Director, Sokoto State Health Services Management Board, Dr Bello Attahiru; Director of Public Health, Dr Abdulganiyu Yusuf; and Director of Medical Services, Abubakar Adamu in Sokoto.
Also present was the Deputy Director, International Cooperation, Jamila Gatawa, alongside representatives of other partners, who joined stakeholders in supporting the implementation of MPCDSR activities across Sokoto State during the event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that committee members comprised representatives of key line ministries, heads of relevant health agencies, professional bodies, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.
NAN reports that committee members underwent a two-day orientation for technical working groups and committee leadership on MPCDSR activities, marking the commencement of their respective responsibilities under the initiative in Sokoto.(NAN)
