The federal government has said it will establish a National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (NEMCHIC) to address public health concern on maternal, newborn and child deaths across Nigeria.He said the strategic approach was in line with the national strategic and health plan 2018-2022.
Mr Shuaibu said the center would work with the National Polio Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) and transit polio resources towards Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) interventions.
He said the center would improve awareness and promote community involvement in interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality.
He said Nigeria has one of the worst records in maternal and child mortality in the world.
It is recorded that in Nigeria, approximately 145 women in the 15-45 age bracket die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth while 2,300 children under five years die mainly from preventable causes
He said the center would also increase data visibility and quality aside improving detection and responsiveness in the resolution of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) service gap.
In his remark, the Emir of Argungu and Deputy Chairman, Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Polio and Primary Health Care, Samaila Mera, said the statistics were alarming and heartbreaking.
He said the northern traditional leaders would sensitize the people to patronize facilities provided by the government and convince husbands to allow their wives to go for antenatal services and deliver at the hospitals.
“We are involved in the surveillance of maternal and neonatal deaths; in this regard, we are working closely with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners.
“We are working with traditional birth attendants on the strategy to stop bleeding after birth which is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality,” he said.
Source: Premiumtimes
