The National Population Commission (NPC) on Wednesday commenced the 2024 Verbal And Social Autopsy (VASA) study in Ogun state.
The study on maternal and neonatal deaths was flag-off in Abeokuta by the NPC Federal Commissioner in Ogun, Mr Abayomi Fasuwa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fasuwa said the survey which is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, is designed to provide insight into the causes of maternal and neonatal deaths in selected communities.
According to him, the study builds on the previous efforts from 2014 and 2019 provided valuable information that shaped health policies to reduce preventable deaths.
He said that the study was a follow up to the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted in May.
“We will be going back to the NDHS households to ask for information that will help the government understand and plan to address the biomedical and social causes of death of children under five and women of reproductive age.
“This information will empower decision makers to address underlying issues that led to these deaths.
“This will also inform policies aimed at improving maternal and child health in the state and beyond,” he said.
Fasuwa urged traditional and community leaders to encourage members of their communities to welcome interviewers and participate fully in the process.
He also urged the general public to cooperate with the interviewers, adding that every documentation would come with utmost respect and confidentiality.
Also speaking, the Team Lead/Coordinator of the study, Mrs Samiat Lawal, said that the study would last for 42 days.
Lawal, who is in charge of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, said 68 identified clusters in 14 local government areas of the state would be visited.
“This is not a new study, we’re only going back to the identified areas; those households who recorded maternal or child mortality since the last demographic survey.
“We’re here to get a verbal autopsy of what happened during the period that led to the incident.
“This is a very sensitive issue because death is not something you want to recount but this information is very important so that the government can know what happened and plan against a reoccurrence,” Lawal added.
The VASA study will run from November 4 through December 15, 2024.
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