Kano govt launches free C-sections, maternity kits for pregnant women

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has pledged to revive free maternity services and distribute welcome packages to newborns in public hospitals to curb maternal and newborn mortality.

Speaking at the conclusion of a five-day workshop on the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), Yusuf, represented by Health Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Labaran, reaffirmed his commitment to tackling maternal deaths.

MAMII, a federal government initiative, was recently launched in Kano to address maternal mortality in 172 high-risk Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Nigeria, with Kano having the highest number at 18.

Yusuf approved the monthly distribution of maternity kits worth millions of naira to pregnant women in over 60 hospitals and 63 primary healthcare centers. He also announced free caesarean sections for women facing pregnancy complications.

The governor attributed the high maternal mortality rate to low hospital deliveries, zero-dose immunization, and diphtheria outbreaks. He urged pregnant women to seek antenatal care and hospital deliveries to improve survival rates.

Yusuf assured that the government is upgrading health facilities to meet universal health coverage standards. He also pledged to review and implement recommendations from the workshop with support from development partners.

Health Commissioner Labaran added that the ministry would collaborate with relevant agencies to improve access roads, ensuring better maternal and newborn health outcomes.