The Taraba state government has stepped up efforts to tackle maternal mortality following the successful completion of a nine-day training for master trainers on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).

The training, organized by the Life Spring Development Foundation in collaboration with the Taraba State Government and support from the Sector Wide Approach Programme (SWAp), which focused on building the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver integrated RMNCAH services across the state, was held in Jalingo, the state capital.

The 9 days intensive training, as observed by The Guardian, equipped participants with practical skills in key areas, including family planning, infection prevention, antenatal and delivery care, management of obstetric emergencies, post-abortion care, and response to gender-based violence.

Participants, according to the organizers, are expected to develop post training mentorship and on-the-job training schedules to cascade the training to 35 PHCs across the two designated LGAs in an effort to strengthen primary healthcare delivery services.

Speaking, the Country Director of the foundation, Dr. David Ebodaghe, who was represented by Dr. Ojukwu Mark Ojukwu, said the initiative is aimed at improving access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for women in the state. He commended governor Agbu Kefas, the State Ministry of Health, and the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency for their commitment to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.

Ebodaghe stressed that strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers is critical to delivering quality services and urged the state government to continue supporting the trained master trainers to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

He added that, beyond certificates of participation, outstanding trainees may be awarded certificates of merit in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the SWAp Office.

Also speaking, the lead facilitator, Dr. Jedidaiah D.K. Sodje, disclosed that the 12 state master trainers visited several health facilities, where they provided family planning services and conducted competency assessments.

The Programme Manager of the foundation, Onyeka Nwosu, expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly reduce disease burden and maternal deaths in Taraba. He emphasized that the success of family planning and maternal health interventions largely depends on the competence of trained healthcare providers, who are now equipped to cascade the training across facilities in the pilot local government areas.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukura, lamented the high rates of maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality in the state but expressed optimism that the training would help reverse the trend.

He identified Lau and Zing among five local government areas contributing significantly to maternal mortality and called for collective action to address the challenge. Tukura also urged healthcare providers to improve communication and build stronger relationships with patients.

“As clinical personnel, you must have listening ears. There should be rapport between you and your clients. All clients should be allowed to make informed decisions about their care,” he said.

He further encouraged the trainees to step down the knowledge and skills acquired to other healthcare workers across facilities, noting that this would enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services statewide. Tukura assured that the government would strengthen referral systems and ensure the timely procurement and distribution of essential commodities to health facilities.