By Chika Otuchikere
The First Lady of Niger State Hajia Fatima Bago has disclosed that needless deaths of mothers and babies can be prevented through regular visits to healthcare facilities.
Mrs Bago gave the advice during the flag-off of the 2026 first round June/July Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week which held in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State in collaboration with Development Partners and funded by the United States government.
She affirmed that with the government’s establishment of quality healthcare facilities, more women and children were accessing healthcare facilities across the state.
“Healthcare is a shared responsibility.
The government can not do it alone. We all have a role to play in ensuring that mothers and children receive the care they deserve.
“While I call on nursing mothers and pregnant women to visit health centres regularly, I urge all of us to become advocates and ambassadors of primary healthcare within our communities,” she pleaded.
Hajia Bago also called on the wives of the 25 Local Government Chairmen, female political leaders, women’s groups, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to support awareness and mobilisation efforts to ensure that no woman or child is left behind.
The Commissioner for Health Dr. Murtala Bagana in his remarks said the health of women and children was a development in progress, stressing that the state government was particular about the health condition of both mother and newborn baby.
“We are determined to strengthen healthcare delivery, expand access to essential services and improve the quality of life of our people,” he said.
The Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa in his remarks explained that the campaign was to ensure that the benefit of healthcare reaches all communities across the state.
In their various goodwill messages, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations International Children Education Fund lauded the Niger State government, saying its strategic intervention and implementation drive demonstrated Niger State’s unwavering commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child survival outcomes through the delivery of high-impact, integrated health and nutrition services.
The Chief of Kaduna Field Office of UNICEF, Nigeria, Dr. Gerida Birukila assured that stakeholders would build a stronger and more resilient medical facilities that mothers can trust.
“Together we can build a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Niger State where every mother survives and every child thrives,” she said.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
