No fewer than 50 women have received cash, food items and clothes as reward for their full compliance to antenatal care from a Non Governmental organisation (NGO).
The NGO, Community Awareness and Development Initiative, CADI in Sokoto also gave awards to various personalities for their contributions to healthcare service delivery.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the Organization and the District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South local government, Sani Umar, said the gesture was to encourage more women to attend Antenatal and Post natal care in the State.
According to Umar, the event was part of the organization’s activities to mark end of year and review achievements and strategize for way forward.
He added that 60% of maternal death occurs after birth and mostly within 24hrs of delivery.
“There is need to identify danger signs in pregnancy before, during and after child birth so that more measures could be taken to reduce maternal and child mortality at birth” the BOT Chairman Saud.
He urged community leaders to continue to join hands with the Organization and government to ensure women participation in antenatal programme, Child immunisation and Post natal care.
Umar also explained that in Nigeria only 39% of women gave birth through skilled attendants while in Sokoto State only 10% are delivered by skilled professional.
“In order to achieve 2030 sustainable Development Goals Nigeria need to increase the proportion of women delivered by skilled attendants to 85%,” he added.
The District Head commended Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, for his commitment and support towards healthcare service delivery in the State.
The in his remarks, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Inname, commended the NGO and the Chairman Board f Trustees who is also the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, for the gesture.
He reiterated state government commitment to employ more health personnel to assist in achieving universal health coverage.
The Commissioner urged members of the community to take ownership of other health activities, because it is the responsibility of all, not only government.
Also in his remarks, the Executive Director of Community Awareness and Development Initiative, Bashir Garba, said the Organization has achieved a lots through working with ward development committee.
Garba added that there is significant increase in the rate of women attending ANC, delivery, child immunizations and Post natal care at hospitals.
“This was achieved through intensive public awareness and sustenance of advocacy with government and community leaders,” the Executive Director said.
He explained that the NGO hope to do more in this year for sustainable health development in the state.
The Executive Director called for more collaboration between the Faith based leaders and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective health service delivery.
