The Kwara State Government on Friday restated its unwavering commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, reaffirmed this resolve at the opening of a three-day Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBBC) training programme for data collectors in Ilorin.
El-Imam described the programme as a critical step toward achieving the ministry’s vision of safer childbirth across the state.
She noted that the initiative is a collaboration between the state government, the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU SARAH) Project, and Laerdal Global Health.
According to her, while the process of reform and improvement in healthcare delivery may not always be smooth, the goal remains clear.
“Women should stop dying while giving life. The road may be rough, winding, or undulating, but as long as we are moving toward that destination, we are on the right path,” she said.
The commissioner emphasized that the initiative is not about complexity, sentiment, or opinions, but about measurable impact driven by credible data.
El-Imam urged participants to approach the training with open minds, describing continuous learning as a cornerstone of professional growth and improved healthcare outcomes.
“We must all consider ourselves lifelong students. No matter our level, there is always something new to learn—better, more efficient ways to do what we already know.
“Let us be open to learning for the sake of the mothers and newborns we serve,” she appealed.
Also speaking at the event, the Country Director of Laerdal Global Health, Dr Obinna Orjingene, expressed appreciation to the state government for its leadership and commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes.
He commended the ministry for mobilizing health managers and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
“The Safer Birth Bundle of Care initiative goes beyond documentation; it focuses on safeguarding mothers and the Nigerian child.
“The training will equip selected data collectors across the state with the knowledge and tools required to accurately capture and report maternal and newborn health data. It is a crucial component in strengthening service delivery and reducing preventable deaths,” he said.
In her remarks, the UNICEF representative, Dr Hadiza Haliyu, said the training was essential to ensure adequate, reliable health data in order to improve healthcare outcomes in the state.
She commended the commitment of the Kwara government, adding that its strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions would continue to transform healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns across the state.
