Nigeria to reduce maternal mortality by 20% in 2027

• First Lady distributes 10,000 professional kits to midwives in S’East

The Federal Government said it remains committed to reducing the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria by 20 per cent before 2027. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, stated this, yesterday, in Enugu, during the presentation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives by the wife of the President, Remi Tinubu.

The minister also said the government is relentless in reducing infant or under-five mortality rate by 15 per cent. He said the distribution of professional kits to nurses and midwives was part of the government’s efforts to motivate and empower medical professionals, leading the fight against maternal and infant mortality in the country.

He said the distribution of the kits is “to create a large pool of motivated and empowered professionals who can deliver on the agenda of the President to reduce maternal mortality rate and under-five mortality rate by 20 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, by 2027.”

Mrs Tinubu, yesterday, flagged off the distribution of 10,000 professional kits for midwives in the South-East region, saying it was dedicated to improving health outcomes for the citizens.

The First Lady, accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima and wives of several governors, stated that already about 50,000 kits have been distributed to the South-West, South-South, North-East, North-West, and North-Central since January this year.

She added that no fewer than 60,000 health workers have completed their training, stressing that the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) is distributing 60,000 kits (scrubs and Crocs) to midwives, nurses and other health workers. as an incentive to encourage them in their work and improve healthcare delivery.