NPC Begins Survey On Causes Of Under-five, Maternal Deaths In Yobe
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has flagged off the 2024 Nigeria Verbal and Social autopsy in Yobe state.
The survey is to determine the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in the state.
The NPC federal commissioner representing Borno and Yobe states, Barrister Isa Audu Buratai said the survey is crucial to enhancing child and maternal care in Nigeria.
He said that the survey is going on nationwide to generate valuable information that will help to shape health policies and interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths.
According to Buratai, the study is a follow-up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health survey concluded in May this year.
“This is an important health initiative that will have a lasting impact on the well-being of mothers and children across the two states of Borno, Yobe and the entire nation,” he added.
He urged communities to provide the right information needed to help government understand and plan to address the biomedical and social causes of death of children under the age of five and for women of reproductive age.
The commissioner commended the strong collaboration between the NPC, the Ministry of Health and other partners for the successful implementation of health projects in the past, and expressed confidence in the success of the survey.
He explained that the fieldwork for the study will be conducted in some selected communities from November 4 to and December 15, adding that data collectors will visit households to conduct interviews with family members and gather information to understand the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths.
He appealed to the traditional, community leaders, media and general public to play vital role in mobilising communities to support and facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise.
He also Commended Yobe state government and ministries for their unwavering support and commitment to the succes of the study.
