30% of Kano pregnant women deliver in hospitals - commissioner

Dr. Abubakar Labaran, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, has disclosed the causes of the high rate of maternal fatalities in the state.

Just 30% of women in the state give birth in hospitals, according to Labaran.

With an estimated 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, Nigeria continues to have one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world. This number is far lower than the Sustainable Development Goals objective of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Ministry of Health's Information Officer, signed the statement on Tuesday.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Aminu Bashir, presented the results of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative workshop to the commissioner, who disclosed the figure.

The five-day program, which just ended, was centred on strategies to curb maternal deaths across Nigeria, with Kano emerging as the most affected state, covering 18 out of the 172 priority LGAs nationwide.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is that only 30 percent of our women deliver in hospitals. This is a major reason why maternal deaths remain high.

“We are calling on our people, especially pregnant women, to always seek healthcare services. The government is committed to overhauling our facilities to meet universal health coverage,” the commissioner said.

He further emphasised the government’s commitment to tackling maternal and newborn mortality, highlighting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s efforts, including the resumption of free maternity services and the monthly distribution of newborn welcome packages in over 60 health facilities and 63 primary healthcare centers.

“The governor has kept his word by approving free delivery kits worth millions of naira for pregnant women. Additionally, free caesarean section services have been introduced for women facing pregnancy complications, all in a bid to drastically reduce maternal deaths,” he said.

Labaran also noted that zero-dose immunisation gaps and the high burden of diphtheria inherited by the current administration are key challenges affecting maternal health.

“The MAMII project has given us a clear path to conduct deeper research into the root causes of maternal and newborn mortality in our state,” he added.
The commissioner emphasised the necessity of working with pertinent ministries and organisations to improve access roads to health facilities in order to make sustained development and guarantee that expectant mothers can easily get to hospitals.

"The MAMII workshop's recommendations will be thoroughly examined by the ministry and successfully implemented with the assistance of development partners," the commissioner stated.