By Iyabo Adebisi
Stakeholders in the health sector have converged on Ibadan to design Implementation strategy as a way out of maternal and neo-natal mortality facing the state.
The week long programme under Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, Mamii, is an initative of the Federal Government to tackle the menace of maternal health mortality in Nigeria.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent reports that the workshop seeks to address the five delays that contribute to maternal deaths such as delay to seek care, to reach care, to receive adequate care, delay in institutional accountability, and in coordination of interventions.
In Nigeria, available statistics revealed that the maternal health mortality rate is prevalent in 172 local government areas in Nigeria while it is rampant in four local government areas in Oyo state.
The affected local governments are Ibadan South-West, Afijio, Oriire and Iwajowa.
To reduce the maternal mortality, Federal government in November, 2024 launched Maternal Health and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative Mamii to eliminate stage 1 and Obstectric transition by December, 2026 targetting 30 percent reduction in maternal mortality rate and 60 percent increase in health facility utilization in high burden area by year 2030.
The National Cordinator of Sector Wide Approach, SWAP, Dr Muntaga Sodiq-Umar who spoke through Omoruyi Iyahen said the co-creation of Mamii was concluded in 31 states of the country.
Dr Muntaga explained that the worshop would provide an opportunity for the team to carry out field assessment of the affected areas to design implementation strategy to nip the problem of maternal health mortality in the bud.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, noted that the gathering symbolize collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes in Oyo state and across Nigeria.
Dr Ajetunmobi said the state government under Omituntun 2.0 Roadmap to sustainable development, had made maternal and child health a top priority through strengthening primary healthcare systems to improving referral mechanisms, expanding access to skilled birth attendance, and advancing digital health innovations.
Dr Ajetunmobi commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Alli Pate and his team as well as technical partners for bringing this initiative to life.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Akintunde Ayinde said the Mamii Initiative provides a unique opportunity to align Oyo State’s strategies within a National framework of one plan, one budget to localize proven interventions, strengthen community and facility linkages, and leverage data for decisive action.
Participants at the event includes traditional rulers, religious leaders, representative of UNICEF and market women.
