The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), in collaboration with the Ummulkhairi Foundation, sensitised no fewer than 5,000 Muslims to childbirth spacing, maternal health and safe reproductive practice in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The community-based awareness initiative was held at the Emir of Zazzau’s Palace Mosque, under the NGO’s Faith and Cultural Champions (FCC) project.

The chairperson of the Ummulkhairi Foundation, Maryam Sani, said the initiative aimed to improve maternal and child health by promoting informed childbirth spacing and increased utilisation of antenatal and postnatal healthcare services.

Ms Sani said the intervention became necessary in view of the persistent burden of maternal and infant mortality, stressing that community education remained critical to correcting misconceptions surrounding childbirth spacing and reproductive health.

She urged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics regularly and seek prompt medical attention whenever they experienced symptoms such as severe bleeding, persistent headache, dizziness and eclampsia.

According to her, the interactive session provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions and obtain accurate information on modern childbirth spacing methods and other maternal health services.

The Imam of the Zaria City Mosque, Muhammad Lamido, commended the organisers for engaging religious and traditional leaders in promoting maternal health.

Mr Lamido said, “Islam permits responsible childbirth spacing where it safeguards the health and wellbeing of mothers and children,” adding that religious leaders would continue to enlighten their congregations on the importance of healthy family practices.

He urged the government and development partners to sustain community-based awareness campaigns, especially in underserved communities where preventable pregnancy-related complications continued to claim lives.

The project leverages the influence of religious and traditional leaders to promote positive behavioural change regarding reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.

It targets young married couples, adolescents, husbands, mothers-in-law, traditional rulers and faith leaders to encourage informed decision-making on child-birth spacing and improved family health outcomes.

The sensitisation was also held in Aba, Wuchichiri Ward, Zaria and Chikun local government areas of the state.

(NAN)