The Kwara State Government on Friday restated commitment to ending maternal and newborn deaths.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, reaffirmed the government’s resolve at the opening of a three-day Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBBC) training programme for data collectors in Ilorin.

Ms El-Imam described the programme as a critical step toward achieving the ministry’s overarching vision of safer childbirth across the state.

She said that the programme was a collaboration among the state government, the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU SARAH) Project and Laerdal Global Health.

According to her, while the process of reform and improvement in healthcare delivery may not always be smooth, the goal remains clear.

She said, “Women should stop dying while giving life. The road may be rough, winding, or undulating, but as long as we are moving toward that destination, we are on the right path.”

The commissioner also said that the initiative was not about complexity, sentiment or opinions, but about measurable impact driven by credible data.

Ms El-Imam urged participants to embrace the training with open minds, describing continuous learning as a cornerstone of professional growth and improved healthcare outcomes.

“We must all consider ourselves lifelong students. No matter our level, there is always something new to learn, better more efficient ways to do what we already know. Let us be opened to learning for the sake of the mothers and newborns we serve,” she appealed.

Also speaking at the event, the Country Director of Laerdal Global Health, Dr Obinna Orjingene, expressed appreciation to the state government for its leadership and commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes.

He commended the ministry for mobilising health managers and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the programme.

“The Safer Birth Bundle of Care initiative goes beyond documentation, focus on safeguarding mothers and the Nigerian child. The training would equip selected data collectors across the state with the knowledge and tools required to accurately capture and report maternal and newborn health data. It is a crucial component in strengthening service delivery and reducing preventable deaths.”he said.

In her remark, the UNICEF representative, Dr Hadiza Haliyu, said that the training was essential to ensure adequate health data to improve healthcare outcomes in the state.

Ms Haliyu commended the commitment of the Kwara State government, adding that its strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions would continue to transform healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns across the state. 

(NAN)