The European Union and UNICEF have collaborated to enhance access to health care services for poor mothers and new born in rural areas of Kebbi State, an official said on Tuesday.
Dr. Muhammmed Kende, Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Health, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the programme had commenced.
According to Kende, the programme consists of Maternal and Child Health Care component, Social Protection services, and Conditional Cash Transfer.
He said that the partnership, which also involved the Kebbi Government, was principally to enhance the health of women and children in the state.
Kende said: “Today is the first payment day for the beneficiaries of the MNCH social protection programme in the state.
“The pregnant mothers would be handed their first payment to ensure increase accessibility to MNCH intervention.”
Kende said that advocacy and capacity building was conducted at various levels prior to the enrolment of pregnant mothers into the programme.
He said: “The state has recorded about 600 pregnant mothers who were enrolled into the programme in the three pilot centres in the state.
“The MNCH-SPP is a cash transfer programme aimed at addressing identified demand-side barriers that prevent the uptake and utilisation of subsidised, free health for women and children.
“The programme would specifically ensure women seek antenatal, postnatal care from delivering at a health facility.”
According to him, a round table meeting with stakeholders was convened to mark the beginning of activity designed for pilot implementation of the programme in the state.
He said the meeting would encourage participation by local governments and selected key stakeholders.
Kende noted: “Three wards from Chibike in Arewa, Dumbegu from Jega, and Birnin Yauri in Ngaski local government areas were selected from the three senatorial zones as pilot centres.”
R&D Health EU, UNICEF partner Kebbi on maternal, child care
