The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal mortality rate in Nigeria by 20 per cent before 2027.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this during the presentation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives by the wife of the President, Remi Tinubu, on Monday in Enugu State.
Salako also said that the government was relentless to reducing infant or under-fives mortality rate by 15 per cent.
He said the distribution of professional kits to nurses and midwives was part of the government’s efforts to motivate and empower medical professionals leading the fight against maternal and infant mortality in the country.
The minister said that the distribution of the kits was “to create a large pool of motivated and empowered professionals who can deliver on the agenda of the president to reduce maternal mortality rate and under-five mortality rate by 20 per cent and 15 per cent respectively by 2027”.
“We sincerely appreciate the impactful role that midwives are playing in the efforts to deliver on the maternal and child health agenda of the president.
“I wish to use this opportunity to specially salute the midwives who are working on the frontlines. When our women get pregnant, they go through pregnancy in health and deliver healthy babies.
“The Federal Government appreciates your invaluable services to our country. And we will continue to support you with the needed tools, welfare packages and all enablement to perform your duties.
“The kits that is being given today represent a commitment to life, and the dignity of our women and children. I urge you to deploy the kits for the purpose they are meant for with full responsibility and full commitment to the pledge that we all took as professionals,” he said.
Salako appreciated the impactful role of midwives in delivering on the maternal and child health agenda of the president.
He pledged the government commitment in supporting midwives with necessary tools, welfare packages, and enablement to perform their duties.
The distribution of professional kits to midwives is part of the government’s efforts to motivate and empower medical professionals in the fight against maternal and infant mortality.
Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the world, with 576 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The country also records high infant mortality rates, with 69 deaths per 1,000 live births and 128 deaths per 1,000 live births for under-fives.
