By Alex C
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and GE Healthcare have signed a 5-year initiative valued at $20 million with the aim of reducing preventable child-maternal deaths in Nigeria.
Under the terms of the agreement, each partner is expected to contribute towards the $20 million program in the first phase for the acquisition of point-of-care equipment to strengthen the effectiveness, impact, efficiency and sustainability of primary care health facilities and services in rural and urban areas.
The multilateral agreement provides scope for the addition of third parties in phase two, including donors, NGOs and other experts to ensure long-term sustainability and achievement of critical program objectives.
To be rolled out over several phases in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)-the coordinating body of the FMOH, the initiative will engage in close collaboration with Federal, State and local health governing bodies to launch, communicate and drive accountability through new and existing frameworks. Over time, it is envisaged that the initiative will identify best practices relevant for child and maternal care practitioners in Africa and beyond.
Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health said that while the country still comprises a large share of the world’s burden of child and maternal morbidity and mortality, infant mortality has witnessed a 38 percent reduction to 78 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2012.
While these positive trends are indicative of sustained investment for maternal and newborn health, where notable progress has been made over the past few years, the minster added that with partnerships like that of GE, USAID, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency of Nigeria, the goals of Saving One Million Lives program can be achieved.
Michael Harvey, USAID Nigeria Mission Director, noted that USAID’s focus in Nigeria is to promote and support stronger governance, financial and human development and to serve as partners in the creation and implementation of economic and civil strategies for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Harvey added that USAID is proud to serve as a strategic partner to the FMOH and GE Healthcare in support of the Healthymagination Mother & Child Initiative.
“Through this initiative, USAID is partnering to scale up cutting-edge solutions and unlock a brighter future for the next generation of Nigerian leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs,” Harvey concluded.
Skander Malcolm, President & CEO, GE Healthcare Eastern & Africa Growth Markets disclosed that as integral part of its commitment to Africa, the company is focused on designing new models of healthcare delivery leveraging affordable technology, a significant focus on training and skills enhancement and nurturing sustainable partnerships to develop localized solutions aligned firmly with the needs of the continent.
“A challenge of this scale is a multi-year effort and we are fully committed to this partnership over the long-term and ultimately, to supporting better outcomes for Nigeria’s mothers and babies and their families,” Malcolm added.
Nigeria’s progress toward improving maternal and newborn survival has been noteworthy, with the rate of maternal deaths dropping by almost half since 1990, when figures estimated 1,000 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births, compared with 584 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2011.
In sharp contrast with its counterpart ‘MINT countries- Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey-, the rate of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria remains significant, at almost three times higher than Indonesia and even higher compared to Mexico and Turkey. Maternal mortality and infant mortality rates in Nigeria are estimated to be around 30 and 15 times higher, respectively, compared with the United States and Europe.
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