The Kano State government with supports from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and other partners has commenced the monthly distribution of 6500 delivery packs, mosquito nets and other medical essentials to pregnant women in the state.
The state governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, who was represented by his deputy, comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, said the effort is aimed at ensuring women carry their pregnancies to term seamlessly and deliver safely.
Governor Yusuf who spoke on Tuesday during the official launch of the 2025 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Campaign and Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) Distribution, at Burji Primary Health Centre in Madobi Local Government Area, noted that, the effort will greatly contribute towards reducing maternal mortality, which currently stands at 937 per 100,000 live births in the state.
He said the state is distributing 6,000 delivery packs and 500 cesarian section packages to state’s facilities, with plans to expand to other apex facilities.
“Additionally, we provide 25,000 to 30,000 doses of ANC drugs monthly to prevent anemia and malaria during pregnancy, both of which are major causes of morbidity and mortality in our state.
Comrade Gwarzo, who also launched the 2025 first round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), said the week-long event would provide healthcare services such as child immunizations, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming for children, antenatal care, and birth registration among others accross the state.
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In his remarks, the chief of UNICEF field office, Rahama Farah, praised the state governor for the consistent release of funds, quality service delivery and proving an enabling environment in the areas of Health, Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
He therefore urged the state government to ensure the implementation of the two rounds of MNCHW in order to ensure a healthy populace among the target groups.
“In continuing support to the Kano State Government, UNICEF has also provided adequate quantities of Vitamin A supplements and MMS for the first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week to reach over 2.6 million children between 6-59 months and about 500,000 pregnant women, representing 80% of the target populations, respectively.”
While calling on the public to utilise the MNCH Week to enhance routine immunization coverage, with a particular focus on Penta, polio, HPV, and Td vaccines, Farah also assured of UNICEF’s continuing commitment to partnering with the state to work across key sectors to improve nutrition and health outcomes especially among women and children.
