Wife of Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zakiyya Bello Masari has called for sustained collaboration from all stakeholders in the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality in the country.
Hajiya Zakiyya Masari made the call at a sensitization campaign on routine maternal, new born, and child healthcare as well as distribution of delivery kits to pregnant women at the primary healthcare facility in Mashi Local Government Area of the state.
The event was organized by the Governor’s wife’s NGO, Women, Youths and Children Improvement Support Initiative in collaboration with the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Hajiiya Zakiyya Bello Masari stressed the need for caregivers and families to embrace routine healthcare services provided at health facilities and communities.
She equally called for more interventions from development partners for routine immunization for children from birth up to fifteen months, noting that exclusive breastfeeding for six months, complementary breastfeeding feeding, routine antenatal care for pregnant women as well as delivery in hospitals will greatly reduce maternal and child death rates.
She also pointed out that more participation of men in maternal and child health is crucial for the reduction of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality.
While distributing delivery kits to pregnant women, Hajiya Zakiyya Masari disclosed that her pet project, the women, children and youth support initiative has been supporting communities in the state for years.
The state commissioner for Health, Alhaji Yakubu Danja, represented by the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Dr. Kabir Mustafa, said the Masari administration attaches much priority to the health sector.
He noted that healthcare facilities inherited by the administration that were in dilapidated conditions have been renovated and equipped.
Also speaking, the Head of Mashi Local Government administration, Hussaini Umar Rafindadi, said the state government has approved and released funds for the total rehabilitation of ‘Yarriga primary health centre and other dispensaries at Bagga, Toronke.
Hussaini Umar Rafindadi said the governor has also approved the immediate renovation of the health facility at Marke which was devastated by rainstorm recently.
In his remarks, the Iyan Katsina, District Head of Mashi, Alhaji Kabir Aminu, urged people of his domain to patronize the health facilities provided in the area.
The Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya said the agency will soon embark on campaign against measles and meningitis in the state with a view to preventing the spread of the two deadly diseases.
The event was witnessed by representatives of development partners and health-based non-governmental organizations.
Isma’il Adamu