Zamfara State has launched a significant initiative aimed at bolstering maternal and newborn healthcare services across its primary health facilities. The “Safe Delivery Initiative,” unveiled at Unguwar Dallatu Primary Healthcare Centre in Gusau, forms a cornerstone of Governor Dauda Lawal’s “Rescue Mission Agenda,” which prioritises comprehensive health sector reforms to elevate citizen wellbeing. This pilot program initially targets four facilities within Gusau and Maru Local Government Areas, with ambitious plans for expansion to 23 facilities across all 14 LGAs.
Dr. Nafisa Maradun, the Commissioner for Health, represented by Dr. Hussaini Yakubu, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, detailed the initiative’s core components. These include critical upgrades to delivery rooms, substantial improvements in both antenatal and postnatal care services, and the crucial provision of essential drugs. Furthermore, the program focuses on deploying and supporting skilled birth attendants, aiming to drastically reduce birth complications and improve outcomes for mothers and infants.
The launch underscores Zamfara’s commitment to addressing prevalent maternal and child health challenges, which remain a significant public health concern across many parts of Nigeria. By strengthening fundamental services at the primary healthcare level, the state seeks to enhance accessibility, quality, and trust in its health system, ultimately contributing to a healthier populace and reduced mortality rates for vulnerable groups. This proactive approach is vital for sustainable development.
Governor Lawal’s “Rescue Mission Agenda” explicitly positions health as a foundational pillar for socio-economic progress. The Safe Delivery Initiative is a direct manifestation of this vision, seeking to not only react to health crises but to proactively build robust, resilient healthcare infrastructure. This strategic alignment ensures that health interventions are integrated into broader state development plans, fostering long-term impact.
This new initiative builds on recent successes, notably Zamfara’s recognition as the top-performing state in the North-West during the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge. The Commissioner attributed this achievement to sustained investment and strategic focus within the health sector. This momentum provides a strong foundation for the Safe Delivery Initiative, demonstrating a proven capacity for effective health program implementation.
The success of such a large-scale public health intervention relies heavily on collaborative partnerships. The Zamfara State Government acknowledges the vital support from international organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Acasus, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Premier Urgency International, and UNICEF, among others. These partners provide crucial technical expertise, financial aid, and capacity-building support, essential for the initiative’s effective rollout and sustainability.
Dr. Raji Mukhtar, the Zamfara State WHO Coordinator, reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to the state government as a key development partner. Dr. Mukhtar expressed WHO’s readiness to continue providing technical assistance and to collaborate closely with the state and other stakeholders, adapting support as specific needs arise throughout the initiative’s implementation phases.
Commissioner Maradun also issued a fervent call to all stakeholders, including community leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations, to actively support the Safe Delivery Initiative. Rebuilding community trust in the public healthcare system is a stated objective, recognising that community buy-in and participation are indispensable for the program’s long-term success and for ensuring that services reach those most in need.
The initiative is poised to significantly impact maternal and newborn health indicators across Zamfara, moving beyond mere service provision to fostering a culture of preventative care and timely intervention. As the program expands beyond its pilot phase, it holds the potential to become a model for other states grappling with similar challenges, ultimately transforming the health landscape for generations of Zamfara citizens.
