Katsina First Lady decries high maternal, neonatal mortality rate

The wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, has decried the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the state, describing the situation as deeply troubling.

According to available data, Katsina’s maternal mortality rate is estimated at over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births, while the neonatal mortality rate exceeds 66 per 1,000 live births. This is reportedly among the highest in the country.

Speaking on Friday at the closing ceremony of the launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), Radda expressed concern over the grim statistics and called for intensified efforts to curb the trend.

MAMII is a Federal Government initiative led by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths across Nigeria.

Radda said the numbers reflect the tragic loss of women and newborns due to preventable causes.

“These are not just numbers. They are the lives of women with dreams, families, and futures that are lost due to preventable causes,” she said.

“This is why I have made it a personal mission to contribute to reversing this high mortality rate in our state.”

She revealed that her NGO, Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative (SASHI), has trained 50 dedicated volunteers already working in communities to mobilize pregnant women and promote access to antenatal care and skilled delivery services.

“These volunteers are helping mobilize pregnant women to attend antenatal care sessions and ensure they deliver at health facilities where skilled care is available,” she added.

Radda emphasized that grassroots engagement is essential in bridging the gap between the health system and communities in need of support.