FG plans boat ambulances for riverine areas

BY VICTORIA OJEME

ABUJA-Worried by the high incidences of maternal mortality deaths in the country, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has spoken of Federal Government’s plans to introduce boat ambulances to serve the riverine communities in the country.

Hajiya Maina said this at a meeting with representatives of the World Bank, led by its Country Director for Nigeria, Marie-fracois- Marie Nelly.

According to the minister, the initiative is part of her ministry’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality deaths by facilitating the emergency transportation of pregnant women, especially in the grass- roots.

She explained that already, three ambulances had been deployed to the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, adding that each ambulance would serve a general hospital with a cluster of four primary healthcare centres.

She said: “I have noted with keen interest the areas of concerns highlighted by you on your Gender programmes which are mainly focused on education, health, growth and support for women’s empowerment, and I would like to inform you that the Ministry is interested in knowing how you intend to achieve these interventions and is interested in partnering with you.”

Hajiya Maina further solicited the support of the World Bank in reviewing the National Gender Policy in 2012 as well as the articulation of a national framework that will ensure the full implementation of all relevant international instruments and United Nations resolutions.

Speaking earlier, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie-fracois- Marie Nelly, said the bank was now set to partner with the Ministry on poverty reduction and wealth creation for Nigerian woman.

“We need to build strategies on key figures. We are here to see that gender mainstreaming is effected across key sectoral areas such as in agriculture, climate change, development of employment and of course, their involvement in politics,” she said.

Also speaking, the Representative of UN Women, Dr. Grace Ongile said UN Women was ready to invest as much as 20 million pounds to strengthen women health care delivery once current data on women and children are made available

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/fg-plans-boat-ambulances-for-riverine-areas/