The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s alarming maternal and child mortality rates. Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, revealed the staggering statistics at a two-day engagement meeting with northern Nigerian religious leaders in Abuja.
“Too many women still die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and too many children fail to reach their fifth birthday due to preventable diseases,” Dr. Aina said.
“Every day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under five years old children and 145 women of childbearing age. Most of these deaths are occurring in northern Nigeria.”A total of 70 cases. from 46 local government areas across 14 northern states. Low routine immunization, and refusal of vaccines during polio campaigns. This must change.”
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To address these challenges, Dr. Aina emphasized:
“We must ensure that every woman has access to antenatal care, that every pregnancy is delivered by trained and skilled midwives, and that every child completes their routine immunization according to the national schedule and gets vaccinated every time vaccination teams visit their homes.”
He urged religious leaders to make a renewed commitment to the health of their communities:
“Together, we must work to create a system that ensures no mother or child is left behind.”
Dr. Aina expressed gratitude to key stakeholders:
“I also want to thank the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and His Eminence, Most Reverend Daniel Okoh for always mobilizing traditional and religious leaders to support immunization and other Primary Health Care programs.”
In his goodwill message, World Health Organization Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, stressed the importance of partnership:
“Partnership is a critical vehicle in achieving the broader goal of universal health coverage… aligned to the primary healthcare approach, the bedrock of Nigeria’s Health Policy.”
Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Saad Abubakar, highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders in promoting development, peace, and security:
“Health and security are essential to Nigeria’s development.”
He praised the Sultan Foundation’s collaborative efforts:
“By partnering with organizations like UNICEF, Bill Gates Foundation, and other stakeholders, the foundation demonstrates the potential for collective impact.”
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