USAID to Fight Maternal Mortality in the Country With U.S.$56 Million

Abdulsalami Abdulfatai
Sokoto — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has earmarked $56.3 million for the implementation of a new project tagged, 'Expanded Society Marketing Project in Nigeria (ESMPIN) aimed at fighting child and maternal mortality in the country. USAID representative, Mr John Quinely disclosed this at the launch of 'Combination 3 capsule', a new pill for child spacing and reproductive health by the Society for Family Health, a Non Government Organisation.

Quinely said USAID/ESMPIN is supporting the Federal Government by expanding child spacing methods with the introduction of the new contraceptive into its family planning portfolio.

"This new product will contribute to Nigeria's efforts in achieving the Millennium Development Goals as it concerns child mortality and maternal health," he said.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director, Society for Family Health, Sir Bright Ekweremadu said one of the goals of the project is to improve the health of women and children in Nigeria by increasing modern contraceptives. He thanked USAID for supporting its programmes.

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