Groups of women, tagged ‘Mama2Mama’ have been formed at community levels in Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa states to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (good health and wellness) – particularly survival of pregnant women and their children to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
The groups organised themselves from different wards in the communities to reach out, door-to-door, to expectant mothers to preach the importance of delivery at a health facility.
Available data indicate that 45 of every 1,000 newborn died within their first birthday in Bauchi, while 153 of every 1,000 Under-five mortality rate is recorded.
Also, the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa and Plateau states, showed that 60 per cent of deliveries took place at home, with Bauchi boasting the highest with 80 per cent and Adamawa 30.
Meanwhile, the ‘Mama2Mama’ groups are mostly 10 per group comprising representatives of women groups, youths, professional groups, artisans and others, who educate, mobilise and encourage other women to prioritise community level health. The groups advocate ante-natal and post-natal care as well as routine immunisation for children. They also encourage primary healthcare facility delivery.
Marking this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) with the event tagged ‘InvestInWomen: She’s the Solution”, the women, who spread across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa communities, called for assistance to save more lives in the hard-to-reach communities.
A Health Officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Oluseyi Olosumde, attributed the situation of home deliveries to low access/inequity, non-availability and inadequate commodity for community.
According to her, 123 of 1,000 Under-five children living in rural areas die before their fifth birthday, while about 67 per 1,000 were reported for children living in urban areas.
Olosunde called on critical stakeholders to invest in women and children’s wellness to save 77 per cent of maternal mortality, neonatal mortality-related deaths, particularly in communities.
