Ilorin: The Federal Government, through the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP), is collaborating with the Kwara Government to enhance healthcare facilities across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. This partnership aims to improve maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, SWAP is part of the Federal Government’s initiative to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths by partnering with the Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego). Dr. Amina El-Imam, Kwara’s Commissioner for Health, noted that an assessment was conducted across secondary healthcare facilities in the state’s LGAs, which will inform decisions to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Dr. El-Imam, represented by Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, spoke at a One-Day Comprehensive, Emergency, Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Assessment Report Dissemination Agenda. She mentioned that the findings will reveal both strengths and critical gaps in the state’s CEmONC services and commended the state government’s efforts in improving healthcare delivery through infrastructural upgrades and recruitment of healthcare professionals.
Mr. Salami Olalekan, representing the National Coordinator of SWAP, explained that the program is a joint effort involving the Federal Government, state governors, and development partners. He emphasized the importance of having at least one functional secondary healthcare facility in every LGA to provide emergency health services and help reduce maternal mortality. Facilities that meet accreditation criteria will offer free Caesarean Sections to pregnant women and handle emergency referrals within the LGAs.
Dr. Ola Ahmed, the SWAP Desk Officer in Kwara, highlighted that each local government has identified at least one healthcare facility to provide maternal and neonatal care, aiming to prevent maternal and child complications. He noted that assessments conducted earlier in 2024 led to renovations based on identified challenges, with the state government expected to take ownership of the initiative while receiving Federal Government support.
Dr. Kofo Ibrahim, the CEmONC Focal Person in Kwara, added that the assessment of secondary healthcare facilities in each LGA considered the availability of infrastructure, drugs, human resources, and emergency referrals.