Federal Govt Raises Alarm: 44% of Newborns Die in Sokoto

The Federal Government has sounded the alarm over the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in Sokoto State, revealing that 44 out of 100 newborn babies in the state do not survive.

Seeking local solutions to combat this crisis, the Special Adviser in charge of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health, Salma Ibrahim, emphasized the urgent need for action during a meeting with Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Ibrahim highlighted Sokoto State’s disproportionate burden of maternal and infant deaths, with statistics indicating a mortality rate higher than the national average.

She underscored the importance of antenatal care, noting that 73% of pregnant women in Sokoto either lack access to or opt out of this vital service, potentially exacerbating risks during childbirth.

Emphasizing the importance of skilled birth attendants, Ibrahim stressed the need to address the root causes behind the low utilization of hospital deliveries.

The government is actively promoting family planning initiatives in Sokoto, recognizing their potential to reduce maternal mortality rates.

Governor Aliyu pledged the state’s commitment to collaborating with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health to implement effective strategies to reverse these troubling trends.