Infant mortality: FG says 44 out of 100 newborns die in Sokoto

44 out of every 100 newborns in Sokoto State do not survive, according to data released by the Federal Government, which has expressed outrage about the high infant death rate in the region.

While drawing attention to the issue, Salma Ibrahim, the Special Advisor in charge of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health, suggested using domestic solutions as a workaround.

The majority of newborn deaths in the state, she said during a courtesy call on Thursday for Governor Ahmed Aliyu, indicate that the state continues to have the highest rate of maternal and infant deaths nationwide. In contrast to the national average of 34 infant deaths per 100, 44 newborn deaths occur in the state, according to the NBS survey conducted in 2018.

"For reasons best known to them, 73% of expectant mothers choose not to seek prenatal care or do not have access to it; if you do not attend ANC, you will not be aware of any issues that may arise.

"And in Sokoto state, you will notice that the number of women who may give birth by stillbirth attendants—those who are educated like nurses and midwives—is extremely low; just 27% of more than 50 deliveries occur there every 100. We are thus concerned about that, sir," she replied.

Ibrahim stated that the President was concerned about the health of women and children in the nation, which is why they brought up the topic of family planning, noting that more family planning will lower the rate of maternal death.
Ibrahim pointed out that more family planning will lower the number of maternal deaths, adding that the President was worried about the nation's women's and children's health and that's why they developed a fast emergency plan to deal with the threat.

"So, with you as the main advocate, we want to get the state commitment to accelerate a reduction in maternal death," she stated.

"We want the state to look into important factors, identify the underlying reasons why women aren't giving birth in hospitals, and develop domestic remedies. We're determined to help you," she reassured.

Governor Aliyu responded with confidence, saying that the state would alter the narratives by working with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health.