Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government is streamlining donor interventions in immunization, family planning, reproductive health, and other healthcare services to bolster safe motherhood across the state.
Dr. Larai Aliyu, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSHCDA), confirmed these efforts during a recent update.
She emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the continued provision of family planning commodities and services.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address maternal health and support existing family planning programs, as well as the infrastructure necessary for last-mile distribution.
The state’s efforts also aim to overcome social, economic, and developmental challenges.
As part of this initiative, the state government has established a Family Planning Technical Working Group.
This group will play a critical role in guiding the coordination of stakeholders, ensuring that the health and development benefits of family planning remain accessible to all residents.
Dr. Aliyu further explained that this investment would ensure the continuous availability of contraceptives, empowering individuals and families to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
She added that the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen supply chain systems, improve service delivery, raise awareness, and enhance health outcomes across the state.
Dr. Aliyu also commended The Challenge Initiative (TCI) for its overwhelming support in celebrating Safe Motherhood Day 2025 under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
TCI has been instrumental in supporting Nigerians by facilitating a quiet yet powerful revolution that safeguards the lives of mothers and children while expanding access to family planning and childbirth spacing services nationwide.
“This collaborative effort sets the stage for a more robust and accessible family planning framework in Sokoto State, which will positively impact the health and well-being of its residents,” she said, urging stakeholders to sustain their efforts to make a meaningful difference in society.
Since its launch in 2017, TCI has been empowering state governments to take ownership of reproductive health solutions, building on the gains made by NURHI.
The initiative aims to scale proven interventions and extend its reach to both urban and underserved rural areas.
Dr. Taiwo Johnson, Country Team Lead for TCI Nigeria, stated that the model emphasizes local governments taking the lead in sustainably scaling reproductive health solutions.
TCI’s work, in partnership with over a dozen state governments, is making motherhood safer, families healthier, and futures brighter.
“Safe motherhood starts before the first contraction,” Dr. Johnson said.
“It begins with informed choices, timely access to family planning, and a supportive community at every step of a woman’s reproductive journey.”
