The Federal Government has expressed concern about the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Sokoto State, revealing that 44 out of every 100 newborn babies in the state do not survive.
Hence, it called for locally tailored solutions to address maternal and infant mortality within Sokoto State and beyond.
Salma Ibrahim, the Special Adviser overseeing the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health, put forward this suggestion during a visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Thursday.
She revealed that Sokoto State continues to bear the highest burden of maternal and infant mortality in the country.
“Most of the newborn deaths occurred in the state. According to the NBS survey in 2018, 44 out of 100 newborn babies die in the state compared to the national average of 34.
“73 percent of pregnant women do not have access or decide not to go for antenatal care for reason best known to them, and if you don’t attend ANC, it means that if there is a problem, you will not know.
“And women that can deliver by still birth attendants (those that are trained like nurses and midwives) in Sokoto state, you will see that, they are very low, 27 percent out of more that 50 delivery per 100. So sir, it is cause for concern for us,” she said
She noted an increase in family planning in the state, which she said would reduce maternal death.
Ibrahim said that the President was concerned about the health of women and children in the country, which was the reason why they came up with an accelerated emergency plan to address the menace in the country.
“So we want to get the state commitment to accelerate a reduction in maternal death with you as the chief advocate.
“We want the state to explore key drivers, to find out the root causes why women are not delivery in hospitals and come up with home grown solution. We are commitment to support you,” she pledged.
In response, Aliyu reassured her that the state would collaborate with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health to alter the prevailing circumstances.