Hassan Turaki.
The Jigawa State Government has distributed delivery kits to 11 apex health facilities in Kaugama Local Government Area, as part of efforts to improve health service delivery and ease the burden on pregnant and lactating mothers. The intervention is aimed at encouraging more women to access antenatal care and other essential health services.
Abdullahi Aliyu Karkarna, Primary Health Care Manager, said the kits include a rubber bowl, towel, lotion, cream, soap, pampers, sanitary pads, and a female wrapper. He noted that each apex centre received 25 female wrappers alongside other items designated for lactating mothers.
According to Karkarna, the provision of the kits is expected to increase uptake of antenatal care and routine immunization by removing some of the cost barriers that discourage pregnant women from visiting health facilities.
In a related development, the State National Programme on Immunization office in Kaugama has commenced distribution of Vitamin A supplements, iron folate, albendazole, and tools for measuring children’s nutritional status. Azithromycin suspension is also being provided to prevent and treat bacterial infections in children aged 6 to 59 months.
Karkarna said the activities are being conducted under the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCHW. He urged the Kaugama Local Government Council to replicate the state’s gesture by supporting health facilities with delivery kits to promote safe delivery in the area.
Kaugama Council Chairman, Hon. Usman Masaki Dansule, represented by Vice Chairman Umar Magaji, pledged to forward samples of the kits to the chairman for further action. He commended the Jigawa State Government for its sustained efforts to improve healthcare services across the state.
The flag-off of the distribution exercise was attended by Lawan Garba, Special Assistant on Health to Governor Umar Namadi, traditional title holders, and other stakeholders.
