The Sokoto State government, on Friday, inaugurated a task force committee to drive the implementation of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) in the state.

The committee, chaired by the state commissioner for health, Faruk Wurno, comprises representatives of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Drug Management Agency, Emergency Ambulance Service, traditional leaders, and development partners.

Speaking at the inauguration in Shuni, Mr Wurno said the state government was fully committed to rolling out the MAMII pilot programme in four local government areas mostly affected by maternal mortality.

“A roadmap has been developed, and within days the task force will swing into action to ensure every pregnant woman in Sokoto can access safe delivery services.

“We also plan to leverage our health insurance scheme to ensure poor and vulnerable women are fully captured in the system,” he said.

After receiving the implementation framework from officials of the federal ministry of health, Mr Wurno emphasised that the state government would do all that is necessary to ensure the success of the project.

“This initiative aligns with Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s 9-point Smart Agenda and will directly and indirectly strengthen our healthcare system,” he added.

Mr Wurno disclosed that the pilot project would be implemented in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, and Dange Shuni LGAs, being areas worst hit by maternal mortality in the state.

He urged the communities to support the programme, stressing its importance for the health and future of coming generations.

Adam Ahmad of the federal ministry of health’s sector-wide approach coordination office, described MAMII as a milestone in Nigeria’s health sector reforms.

According to him, the government is revamping primary healthcare centres nationwide to meet Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) standards.

“This is with at least one facility in each local government area being upgraded to provide Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC),” he said.

Mr Ahmad further said that the federal government had identified transportation as a major challenge in maternal health service delivery.

“That is why FG is strengthening the National Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (NEMSAS) and the Rural Emergency Transport System (RETS).

“This will ensure that pregnant women, especially in rural areas, can reach functional health facilities safely,” he explained.

He also disclosed that government was investing heavily through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to improve infrastructure, human resources, and service delivery at the grassroots.

On Sokoto’s choice as a pilot state, he said, data ranked it among the states with the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, the district head of Wurno, Kabiru Alhassan, assured of the Sultanate Council’s support to the project.

The sultan pledged that the council would mobilise grassroots structures to create awareness and encourage community participation. 

(NAN)