By Lizzy Carr
Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Dambam, has inaugurated a Taskforce on Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction as part of efforts to promote safe motherhood in the state.
The Taskforce was inaugurated on Friday at the conclusion of a five-day implementation design workshop on the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MaMII) held in Bauchi.
Dr. Dambam charged the Taskforce with visiting health facilities, particularly Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) implementing the MaMII project, to ensure that patients have access to quality healthcare services.
“We now have brand new National Health Heroes who have just joined us. I want to remind you that the task is on the field, not in the office. You must work hard to ensure the project’s success,” he stated.
He emphasized that mothers and society at large are eagerly awaiting the project’s implementation, which is expected to improve the health and well-being of the people of Bauchi State and the nation.
Dr. Dambam further highlighted that healthcare has remained a top priority since the administration took office in 2019.
He revealed that Governor Bala Mohammed has approved ₦872 million as counterpart funding for the Healthcare Basket Fund.
“Bauchi State is the sole donor for this year’s Basket Fund activities. The funds will be released any moment from now. We also appeal to our partners, particularly Aliko Dangote and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to consider rolling out the budget for the next five years,” he added.
He noted that the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the initiative is set to expire this year, but the state has consistently met its financial commitments.
He expressed optimism that the state’s performance and commitment under Governor Mohammed’s leadership would encourage partners to continue their support.
The Commissioner assured that the MaMII programme would not operate in isolation but would integrate with existing projects focused on improving maternal and child health, thereby enhancing efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for initiating efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Rilwanu, the initiative is critical in ensuring that pregnant women have safe deliveries and that children under five receive quality medical care.
However, he lamented that nine local government areas (LGAs) were excluded from the programme, making them vulnerable. He appealed for their inclusion to ensure statewide coverage.
Dr. Rilwanu also praised the Nigeria Healthcare Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) project, which he credited for contributing to the success of the programme under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
He assured that the recruited personnel were ready to commence implementation and that the government, through the Board, is fully committed to supporting the initiative.
Representatives from the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commended the inauguration of the Taskforce, describing it as timely given the ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and improve maternal and child health.
Similarly, a representative of the Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) praised the MaMII initiative, stating that it would significantly help combat high maternal and neonatal mortality rates across Nigeria.
