The Sokoto State Government has launched the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) to tackle rising maternal and neonatal deaths.
The project was inaugurated on Monday during a five-day stakeholders’ planning and execution session in Sokoto.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, said the initiative would address the underlying causes of maternal and neonatal deaths, assuring that the state government had mobilised resources for its effective implementation.
“This initiative will go a long way in addressing our numerous health challenges and will guide our commitment towards building a healthier society,” Wurno said, adding that healthcare remains a top priority under Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s Nine-Point Smart Agenda.
He pledged government support through adequate manpower, equipment, and improved primary healthcare delivery.
Dr. Adam Ahmed, Planning and State Engagement Associate at the Federal Ministry of Health, explained that MAMII introduces innovative approaches to reduce maternal mortality, which remains a major health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the North.
UNICEF’s Health Manager in Sokoto, Dr. Shamina Sharmin, stressed the importance of accessible, quality, and equitable service delivery, especially in rural areas. She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with partners and communities to provide context-specific solutions.
