Kaduna State deputy governor, Hadiza Balarabe, has expressed concerns about maternal death in Kaduna State after receiving a report on ending maternal mortality.

Speaking at the meeting, the leader of the Maami-led Accountability Mechanism Initiative (MAMI), Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, said the delegation was in Kaduna to present its findings and recommendations on improving maternal health outcomes in the state.

“We came to present the MAMI report to the deputy governor, who we believe is best positioned to escalate it to the Governor. Our aim is to reduce maternal deaths in Kaduna and ensure that all our health discussions translate into action,” he said.

Adeyanju highlighted key findings from field visits to five communities, noting that several challenges persist.

“We observed significant gaps in awareness, transport, access to healthcare, and out-of-pocket expenditure. More importantly, many health facilities are in urgent need of personnel and equipment,” he said.

He stressed the need to strengthen the reporting system for maternal deaths, improve coordination among stakeholders, and eliminate sociocultural and religious barriers to safe delivery.

“We urge women in Kaduna to collaborate with the government because this effort is for them,” he added.

In her response, the Deputy Governor Balarabe reiterated the state government’s commitment to ending maternal mortality.

“Kaduna is committed to reducing maternal deaths, and I hope the Ministry of Health will also put in the necessary effort to see this through,” she said.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), Adeyanju, who addressed a team of medical experts, said that the Initiative is working around the clock in collaboration with the State governments to reduce maternal, neonatal mortality in 172 local government areas in the country.

Adeyanju, who also spoke with Journalists shortly after a four-day workshop to tackle the problem of mortality, disclosed that about seven LGAs in Kaduna State alone have the highest rate of mortality.

He explained that a document has been prepared at the workshop and handed over to the Kaduna State government for action on reducing mortality.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop, the State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, emphasised the state government’s commitment to working with the initiative to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.