By: Ishola Michael – Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has reiterated its determination to promote women’s maternal and child health as well as gender inclusiveness and mainstreaming for a healthy society.
Consequently, the government has launched a scheme called Mama-to-Mama Support Group and Gender Champions, saddled with the responsibility of enlightening women on maternal and child health as well as gender inclusiveness and mainstreaming.
The state gender, focal person, Hajiya Alawiyya Usman, while speaking at the Launching of the programme at the Command Guest House on Wednesday said that the Mama to Mama Support Group is also responsible for identifying pregnant women in their local communities and refer them to healthcare facilities for AnteNatal Care services and hospital-based delivery.
The Mama-to-Mama Support Group comprises 646 members who are dedicated to enlightening and mobilizing women of reproductive age to prioritize their health status and that of their children.
Hajiya Alawiyya said that prior to the conceptualisation of the Mama-to-Mama scheme, the situation analysis revealed prevailing gender discrimination, negative gender norms, role and practice among others as negative effects of quality healthcare service delivery.
She explained that the Gender Champions whose roles were to add voice to gender issues are influencing women in their respective communities to change social ills within the society.
In a brief remark, the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed said that Global Affairs Canada has been supporting the state through UNICEF in different sectors of development particularly healthcare services delivery at the primary level.
The First Lady applauded members of the two groups inaugurated for their dedication towards improving healthcare delivery services and addressing Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
She assured that her Foundation will continue to support quality healthcare service delivery in order to improve the health status of women and children.
Also Speaking the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sabi’u Gwalabe called on the Mama-to-Mama Support Group and the Gender Champions to redouble their efforts towards achieving the set objective.
On his own, the Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed commended the initiative saying that it will go a long way in reducing issues around family health.
Rilwanu Mohammed also called on the Mama-to-Mama Support Group and the Gender Champions to ensure that they work effectively towards achieving the set objectives of the scheme.
The event had in attendance, UNICEF delegation, Traditional Leaders and other stakeholders in the health sector.
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