Salma Ibrahim Anas, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, announced that the president has designated Sokoto state as one of the few states to concentrate on the Accelerating Reduction of Maternal Newborn Deaths project.

She encouraged the Sokoto government to implement homegrown solutions to enhance sustainable maternal and newborn health outcomes in the state.

During a briefing with Governor Ahmed Aliyu on the Acceleration of Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Deaths, the Special Adviser also emphasized the necessity of strong political commitment to expedite the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality rates in the state.

She reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to improving access to healthcare delivery in Nigeria through the realization of the UHC leaving No One Behind, adding that the president has endorsed eight priority areas as recommended by the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) on Health to reform the health sector for better performance and a major contributor to national development and job creation.

She said: “Lead as the Chief Advocate and Champion for the State and explore actions of key drivers and social determinants of plus root causes associated with high maternal and newborn deaths in the State.

“This Presidential initiative on Acceleration of Reduction of Maternal Deaths is critical and integral towards the attainment of our UHC aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Sokoto is one of the few states selected to focus on the Accelerating Reduction of Maternal Newborn Deaths project.”

On the reason to focus on the reduction of Maternal and Newborn Deaths, the special adviser, said the situation, as demonstrated by NDHS 2018 and MICS 2021 revealed a high burden of maternal and newborn deaths.

She added: “It has been proven to be beneficial as the majority of the deaths associated with pregnancy, childbirth and post-delivery as well as deaths related to the newborns are preventable (almost by 90%) using simple health interventions.

“It is a quick win to attain UHC and strengthen HSS, improve physical and mental wellbeing and productivity of individuals, families and communities and also a political score that is palpable and demonstrable within the shortest period.

“It is a two-prong approach that focuses on State Led and Homegrown solutions. Explore local contexts, existing strengthens, key social-cultural determinants, and use the deployment of home-grown solutions for sustainable health outcomes.”

END.