‘Islamic scholars key to maternal, child health’

Islamic scholars are very important in  tackling maternal and child mortality in the country, a health expert, Dr Abdulazeez Mashi has said. A statement from the Development Research Projects Centre (dRPC) signed by the Director, Judith-Ann Walker said  Mashi stated this during a sensitization campaign for communities in Nasarawa State carried out by the organization […]

Islamic scholars are very important in  tackling maternal and child mortality in the country, a health expert, Dr Abdulazeez Mashi has said.
A statement from the Development Research Projects Centre (dRPC) signed by the Director, Judith-Ann Walker said  Mashi stated this during a sensitization campaign for communities in Nasarawa State carried out by the organization in collaboration with the Association of Islamic Scholars.
Speaking at the Emir’s palace in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Mashi who represented dRPC during the community dialogue, said the  Grand Challenges Canada /Saving Lives at Birth project is  aimed at mobilizing Islamic scholars to serve as  change agents in the areas of child and maternal health.
He said the Islamic scholars are currently working on the psyche of health workers and members of the public especially in disabusing their minds from religious misconceptions on improving the delivery of health care services to women and children.
“Islamic scholars from three initial states were identified and taken for a training and study tour of other Islamic countries. The Islamic scholars are now visiting these facilities as a follow up to the training, and mentoring health workers on how to use the religious texts to find solutions,” he said. 
Emir of Lafia, Dr Isa Mustapha Agwai commended  dRPC and the Islamic scholars from Katsina  State on their efforts. He urged traditional and religious leaders in the  state to be involved in the project so that more people will benefit from it.