Pregnant women have been urged to intensify their visits to health facilities for antenatal care to protect their health and that of their unborn babies.
President of the Al-Mannar Women Association, Hajiya Rabi Umar Sodangi, made the call during a community sensitization programme on antenatal care, organised with support from the Faith and Cultural Champions, at Darur Sunnah, Kwarbai Zaria.
Hajiya Rabi Sodangi said the programme aims to educate pregnant women on how to properly care for themselves and their babies throughout pregnancy.
She added that the association will spend six months taking the campaign to various communities to enlighten young mothers and their husbands on the importance of early antenatal attendance.
The Project Manager also appealed for support from district heads, ward heads, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative.
In his remarks, an official of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact ,(CCSI) Muhammad Bello Murtala, said research has shown that failure to attend antenatal clinics remains a major cause of high maternal and infant mortality, noting that Kano and Kaduna States record some of the highest cases.
A former health practitioner, Hajiya Safiya Ishak, who delivered a lecture on antenatal care and hospital delivery, highlighted the dangers faced by pregnant women who avoid antenatal services or delay going to hospital during labour.
The Ward Heads of Kwarbai A, Ibrahim Yahaya, and Anguwar Alkali, Abdulhamid Muhammad, pledged full support for the initiative aimed at reducing maternal and infant deaths.
One of the participants, Amina Adamu Abbas, expressed satisfaction with the knowledge gained, saying it will help her take better care of herself and her baby.
The sensitization program attracted traditional leaders, religious leaders, women groups and other stakeholders.
COV/ Ibrahim Suleiman
