NGO urges Taraba to improve maternal, child healthcare

National coordinator of the organisation, Dr Aminu Garba Magashi, made the call yesterday in Jalingo during a two-day capacity training for members of the Taraba State Accountability Mechanism on MNCH (TaSAMM).He explained that E4A is a United Kingdom funded programme which aims at improving maternal and newborn survival in six sub-Saharan countries namely, Nigeria, Ethiopia, […]

National coordinator of the organisation, Dr Aminu Garba Magashi, made the call yesterday in Jalingo during a two-day capacity training for members of the Taraba State Accountability Mechanism on MNCH (TaSAMM).
He explained that E4A is a United Kingdom funded programme which aims at improving maternal and newborn survival in six sub-Saharan countries namely, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
In Nigeria, the programme is being implemented in five states – Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Kano and Sokoto.
“E4A acts as a catalyst for action, using evidence strategically to generate political commitment, strengthen accountability and improve planning and decision making at sub-national and national levels. E4A also works to strengthen international and regional accountability,” he said.
Dr Aminu said there was need for Taraba government and policy makers in the state to give topmost priority to the health sector especially on issues bordering on maternal and newborn health, adding  that 15% of the state budget ought to go to the health sector in line with the Abuja Declaration on health.
He expressed concern that statistics from the 2013 National Health Survey show that Taraba and other states within the North East sub region performed low on issues of maternal and newborn health in comparison to states within the southern parts of the country.
Dr Aminu observed that a situation where less than 30% pregnant women in the state deliver at health facility indicates ‘red card’ and called on government to do more to ensure improved antenatal and postnatal care for women in the state.
He urged members of the Taraba State Accountability Mechanism on MNCH to embark on aggressive advocacy to policy makers, philanthropists, financial institutions and other stakeholders that would assist in the improvement of maternal and newborn health in the state.