From Maawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Katsina State Government, has taken bold steps to address the high rate of maternal and neonatal mortality in the state.
Stakeholders in the health sector have developed a strategic roadmap aimed at reducing these preventable deaths between 2025 and 2027.
The roadmap was the outcome of a five-day workshop on the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovative Initiative (MAMII), held at Hillside Hotel in Katsina.
The workshop brought together participants from the Federal and Katsina State Ministries of Health, representatives of donor agencies, and other critical stakeholders in the health sector.
To ensure effective implementation of the roadmap, a 14-member steering committee was inaugurated, headed by the wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zullahat Dikko Umar Radda.
A desk officer was also appointed to coordinate the activities of the initiative at the state level.
Speaking at the closing of the workshop, the National Sector-wide Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Muntakka Sadig Umar, said MAMII would work closely with state health ministries to tackle the root causes of maternal and neonatal mortality.
Dr. Umar, who was represented by Omoruyi Iyahem, emphasized that MAMII is not just a policy document but a national rescue mission.
“The Federal Ministry of Health has given us the mandate to go beyond policies crafted in Abuja. We are here to work with states directly to get to the root of the problem,” he said.
He described Katsina as one of the worst-hit states, with 15 out of 175 high-burden local government areas nationwide located within the state.
In his remarks, the Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Musa Adamu, commended the Federal Ministry of Health for collaborating with the state to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Earlier, Hajiya Zullahat Dikko Umar Radda expressed optimism that with the commitment of all stakeholders, Katsina could achieve zero maternal and neonatal deaths by 2027.
She pledged her full support and commitment to the success of the initiative.
