by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Co-chairman of ‘Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative’ (KADMAM), Mr. Garba Mohammed, has asserted in a catchphrase that, “No child should die at birth” anymore.
The Co-chairman of KADMAM made the call in a slogan during an engagement he organized with Media Executives in Kaduna State to strategically support and amplify advocacy messages on Family Planning and Maternal Newborn Child Health (MNCH), through SASA.
In the Slogan: ‘No Child Should Die at Birth,’ Garba Mohammed explained that the media engagement is meant to strengthening FP and MNCH through SASA advocacy project, implemented by KADMAM, with support from Pathfinder International Nigeria.
Some of the laudable objectives of the meeting outlined at the meeting, among others, include sensitization of media leaders on the critical importance of the FP, MNCH, in improving quality of health outcomes and reducing child mortality.
Other objectives of the engagement listed include fostering collaboration between media organizations and advocacy partners to ensure consistent, impactful messages on FP and MNCH issues across various media channels.
Accordingly, the engagement is to also develop a media action plan to outlining next steps and commitments from media stakeholders in promoting FP/MNCH advocacy messages in Kaduna State.
Some of the participants and representatives of the executives shared their personal experiences of MNCH and child mortality in hospitals in the state, which appeared so sympathetic and heartbroken.
Earlier, there were presentations of overview of FP/MNCH in State Primary HealthCare Board (SPHCB), Kaduna State, the roles of CSOs, media and government in advancing FP/MNCH in Kaduna State as well as discussions on recommendations, the gaps, steps and/or commitments.
Media Executives and their representatives voluntarily made commitments to use their position to promote FP and MNCH news and programmes, for the interest of the generality.
KADMAM seized the opportunity to call on government to procure and provide essentials of FP and MNCH as part of its counterpart funding, rather than leaving it for partners to provide commodities alone.
Both government and privately-owned media organization executives and representatives were present during the engagement, which held at Nigeria Television Authority Conference Hall, in Kaduna City Tuesday.