Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has flagged off a strategic initiative aimed at tackling maternal and newborn mortality in the state.
Martha Nyam, the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, in a statement on Friday, said the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Innovative Initiative (MAMII), a project of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in collaboration with the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordinating Office, is designed to showcase effective interventions and approaches to reduce Nigeria’s high maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Represented by his deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, Governor Mutfwang described the launch of MAMII in Plateau as not only a policy milestone but also a beacon of hope for mothers and infants across the state.
“For too long, maternal and newborn mortality has been a silent crisis affecting families, communities, and our future.
“Every mother lost during childbirth is a family torn apart, every newborn death is a story of potential unfulfilled.
“But today, with the activation of MAMII, we take a bold step toward changing this narrative,” he said.
The Governor commended the Federal Ministry of Health for responding to the crisis with innovation and compassion, pledging his administration’s support in ensuring the initiative’s success.
He stressed that his government would work with healthcare providers, traditional leaders, community groups, and civil society to achieve the desired impact.
He further urged women to embrace the services provided under MAMII, with the vision of building “a Plateau where no woman dies giving life, and no child dies before their first smile.”
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn survival rates, noting that MAMII would take a holistic approach by addressing infrastructure deficits, human resource gaps, and the integration of safer pregnancy and childbirth frameworks.
Similarly, the Chairman of Jos East Local Government Area, Hon. Markus Nyam, acknowledged that his LGA records the highest maternal and infant deaths in the state, but assured that measures are being put in place to reduce the figures through improved and accessible healthcare services.
Traditional leaders, community representatives, stakeholders, and women groups present at the launch pledged their support to ensure full utilisation of the initiative, to surpass the national average in reducing maternal and newborn deaths in Plateau State.
