Gombe Govt partners with NGO to improve maternal, infant health

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development is set to collaborate with the Gombe State Government to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent healthcare and nutrition in the state.

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This was made known by the Executive Director of the NGO, Mrs. Juliana Aribo,  on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the wife of Gombe Governor, Hajiya Asama’u Yahaya.

“The organisation was in the state to work with the government, office of the governor’s wife and key stakeholders to identify women who would lead advocacies on primary healthcare and RMNCAH-N,” she said.

Mrs. Aribo said that the objective of the organisation was to work towards the reduction of maternal and neonatal, child and adolescents morbidity and mortality through the provision of timely, safe and effective healthcare services.

She said that it was also aimed at promoting universal access to comprehensive maternal, child and adolescents reproductive healthcare.

Mrs. Aribo noted that the last National Demographic Health Survey revealed that out of every 1,000 live births in Gombe, about 130 died before they were five years old and that 550 women, out of 100,000, died in the process of childbirth.

She said that the mortality was due to inadequate access to affordable quality healthcare services, adding, “Global benchmark indicates that mortality, in this regard, should not exceed 25.”

Mrs. Aribo commended the state government for the progress made towards improving child survival and safe motherhood through the provision of ready-to-use therapeutic food, treatment of severe acute malnutrition, and sustenance of family planning in the state.

Responding, the governor’s wife expressed her readiness to partner with the organisation toward achieving its desired goal.

She spoke about her passion for health issues, particularly those affecting women and children, adding, “This is because I am also a mother, and our programme to support gender issues is visible.

“On this note, I want to assure you of my support in that regard because maternal mortality is an issue of serious concern.”

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, said that the organisation was in the state on a high-level advocacy to address issues affecting children and women. He revealed that LISDEL was working in three states – Kaduna, Lagos and Gombe