DFID commits N2.3bn to combat maternal mortality in Kaduna

From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

The Partnership for Transforming Health System (PATHS 2), a Department for International Development (DFID)-sponsored programme, has donated the sum of eight million pounds (about N2.3 billion) to assist in the reduction of maternal mortality in Kaduna state.
The PATHS 2 National Programme Director, Mike Egboh, disclosed this in Kaduna during the flag-off of an emergency transport scheme for pregnant women in the state.
He regretted that Nigeria contributes only two percent to the world population but has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world.
According to Egboh, his organisation has expended N1.4 billion out of the money to procure drugs and equipment and support the training of all cadres of health workers for the health care facilities in the state as well as for the established 36 health-care facilities aimed at creating awareness for what he described as positive behavioural change.
He noted further that the balance of N900 million has been deployed to procure additional drugs and equipment are expected to arrive the country within the next three months.
He said: “Nigeria is the second country in the world after India with the highest maternal mortality rate in the world and contributes 10 percent to the world’s total maternal death.
“The emergency transport service is aimed addressing the delay in accessing care during obstetric emergencies such as delay in reaching health facilities due to distance, poor road conditions and lack of means of transportation among others that are known contributors to maternal mortality.
“The drivers involved in the scheme are motivated through volunteers; non-payment mechanism that ensures that they are able to convey mothers especially at night when the chances of getting commercial transport in hard-to-reach areas is high.

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