The Federal Government has decried the high infant mortality rate prevalent in Sokoto State, revealing that 44 out of 100 newborn babies do not survive.
The Special Adviser in charge of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health, Salma Ibrahim, while calling attention to the problem canvassed homegrown solutions as a way out.
During a courtesy call on Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Thursday, she disclosed that the state still has the highest burden of maternal and infant death in the country, adding, “Most of the newborn deaths occurred in the state. According to the NBS survey in 2018, 44 out of 100 newborn babies die in the state compared to the national average of 34.
“73 per cent of pregnant women don’t have access to or decide not to go for antenatal care for reasons best known to them. And if you don’t attend ANC, it means that if there is a problem, you will not know.
“And women that can have their delivery done by traditional birth attendants (those trained like nurses and midwives) in Sokoto State, are very low, 27 per cent out of more than 50 deliveries per 100. So, sir, it is a cause for concern for us,” she said.
Ibrahim noted that an increase in family planning would reduce maternal death, saying that the President was concerned about the health of women and children in the country, which was why they came up with an accelerated emergency plan to address the menace in the country.
She said, “So we want to get the state commitment to accelerate a reduction in maternal death with you as the chief advocate.
“We want the state to explore key drivers, to find out the root causes why women are not delivering in hospitals and come up with homegrown solutions. We are committed to supporting you,” she assured.
Governor Aliyu, while reacting reassured that the state would work with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health to change the narratives.
