The Taraba state government has renewed efforts to address the persistent challenge of maternal and child mortality with the reactivation of the State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (TaSAM), a multi-stakeholder platform designed to promote transparency, oversight and improved healthcare delivery.

The committee, originally established in 2016, was officially reactivated on Friday, July 17, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Taraba state Ministry of Health in collaboration with West and Central Africa Health Options Limited/GTE (WCA Health) which took olace in Jalingo.

The event, as noticed by The Guardian, brought together representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and the media to chart a renewed course for improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes across the state.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Bordiya Buma, described the reactivation of TaSAM as a significant step towards strengthening accountability in the health sector. He noted that although the mechanism was created a decade ago to monitor health interventions and ensure effective implementation of maternal and child health programmes, it became inactive due to operational challenges.

According to the commissioner, reviving the committee is expected to restore oversight, improve transparency and support government efforts to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths.

He expressed concern over the state’s maternal mortality burden, revealing that Taraba records approximately 576 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, a figure he described as unacceptable and one that requires coordinated action from government, development partners, civil society and the media.

Dr Buma explained that the committee would be responsible for monitoring health programmes, tracking implementation, identifying gaps and recommending practical strategies to improve maternal, newborn and child health services across the state.

He subsequently inaugurated the 52-member committee, comprising representatives from ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations and media institutions. He said members were carefully selected based on their professional competence, experience and commitment to improving healthcare delivery.

The commissioner urged the committee to develop a practical action plan capable of strengthening accountability systems and accelerating progress toward better health outcomes for women and children.

Representatives of key stakeholder groups pledged their support for the initiative.

Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Gabriel Yough, said the media have consistently drawn public attention to maternal mortality and other health-related challenges in Taraba State. He assured that journalists would continue to partner with government and other stakeholders by promoting public awareness, amplifying health campaigns and encouraging accountability in the health sector.

Similarly, representatives of the Taraba State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Dr Gimba Joseph and Mrs Eglah Ibrahim, reaffirmed the commitment of civil society groups to support the Ministry of Health in improving healthcare delivery and ensuring transparency in the implementation of health programmes.

Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of the Big Sister Initiative, a programme that creates safe spaces for adolescents between the ages of 9 and 19 to discuss sexual and reproductive health issues. The initiative aims to equip young people with accurate information and life skills that enable them to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Health experts at the meeting expressed optimism that the reactivation of TaSAM would strengthen coordination among stakeholders, improve monitoring of health interventions and enhance accountability, ultimately contributing to a significant reduction in preventable maternal and child deaths in Taraba State.

The renewed commitment reflects the state’s determination to build a more responsive and accountable health system where collaborative action among government, civil society, development partners and the media translates into improved health outcomes for mothers, newborns and children.