Kwara Health Commissioner advocates improved maternal and newborn care training
Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, has called on medical doctors to prioritize the safety and well-being of mothers and newborns to effectively reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
El-Imam made the appeal made during the opening ceremony of a 6-Day Residential State Training of Trainers (STOT) for the Essential Newborn Care Course (ENCC) at Silver Gate Hotel, Ilorin.
Running from April 3 to April 8, the capacity-building program aims to equip healthcare professionals with advanced skills in maternal and newborn care.
The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of healthcare workers, emphasizing their crucial role in the early weeks of a child’s life.
Highlighting the state government’s commitment to healthcare, she stressed that a functional health system is essential for medical personnel to deliver optimal services. “You have a Governor who supports you, and that’s why we are investing heavily in getting Primary Health Centres (PHCs) right,” she stated, detailing plans to equip and renovate all 193 PHCs across the state.
Furthermore, Dr. El-Imam mentioned ongoing solarization projects in secondary health facilities as part of sustainable strategies to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly in maternal and child health. She also revealed the initiation of the 2024 CONMESS salary structure for medical doctors, reaffirming the government’s commitment to personnel welfare and retention.
Dr. El-Imam urged doctors to utilize their direct access to mothers to educate and counsel them on proper newborn care practices, reinforcing the collective effort needed to reduce mortality rates in Kwara State.
In her remarks, she declared Kwara State one of the best places to be born in Nigeria, highlighted by its recognition as a multi-award-winning leader in healthcare services.
Mr. Edward Iyamu, representing the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, commended the Kwara State Government for its proactive measures in advancing health service delivery, especially regarding maternal and child health. He encouraged ongoing support from United Nations agencies and international partners to enhance health outcomes in the state.
The ENCC training is expected to significantly enhance doctors’ capabilities in providing optimal care to mothers and newborns, contributing to safer childbirth experiences and healthier beginnings for the youngest citizens of Kwara State.
