by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Nigerian (pregnant) women have been charged to prioritize their health and ensure they attend regular ante-natal sessions in approved healthcare centres, in order to guarantee that every woman has the chance to undergo a healthy and safe pregnancy and childbirth test.
Plateau State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs Josephine Piyo, disclosed this to commemorate the National Safe Motherhood Day 2025 in the state.
According to her, “Plateau State Government is committed – and has what it takes – to ensure safe motherhood and health care for women in the state.
“The National Safe Motherhood Day is an initiative to raise attention towards adequate access to care during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal services.
“The campaign, which is aimed to raise awareness that every woman has a right to live and survive pregnancy and childbirth, is very key.
“This year’s theme, ‘Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality,’ is a call to action for every stakeholder.
“It is on record that maternal mortality occurs about 99 percent in developing countries; but we are happy that this fell by nearly 44% worldwide between 1990 and 2015, and we are poised to improve on this numbers.
“The objective is to reduce worldwide maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births as a part of the Sustainable Development Goal.
“Motherhood is a significant phase of a women’s life and, no matter what, she deserves adequate care and protection during this time. No woman should lose her life bringing life to earth,” she said.
The Deputy Governor stated that it is in this light that the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, in a significant move to combat maternal mortality, launched the distribution of Safe Delivery Kits, known as Mama Kits, to primary healthcare centers across the state.
She noted that the governor has reaffirmed his administration’s comprehensive plan to revamp the primary healthcare system, revealing that contracts have been awarded for the renovation and re-equipment of 82 primary healthcare centers across the state.
“This is a strategic intervention to address maternal health and mortality and address the immediate health challenges of the people,” she said.