By Blessing Bature
Rotary International District 9127 has intensified efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the launch of a maternal and child health project at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Sheritti in Kabusa, FCT where pregnant women received birth kits, health education and support for safe delivery.
The initiative, implemented by Rotary District 9127 in partnership with the Rotary Club of Abuja (The Grandfather), is aimed at improving access to quality maternal healthcare, promoting antenatal care attendance, and increasing child immunisation.
Speaking at the inauguration, the District Chair, Maternal and Child Health, Zonal Coordinator, Zone 1, District 9127, Dr. Samuel Usman, MON, said the intervention was designed to help expectant mothers survive pregnancy and childbirth while ensuring newborns receive the care needed for a healthy start to life.
According to him, the project includes the distribution of birthing kits, sensitization on antenatal care, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and awareness on routine childhood immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, yellow fever, whooping cough and Cervical Cancer.
"Our mission is to reduce maternal mortality by ensuring women have the support they need for safe deliveries. We are also working to reduce infant mortality because when a mother survives childbirth, the baby has a better chance of surviving and thriving," Dr Usman said.
Dr Usman noted that Rotary had been supporting the Kabusa health facility over the years, but the district decided to strengthen the intervention after identifying critical gaps in maternal and child healthcare services.
He revealed that within three days, the health Centre had recorded five deliveries despite lacking adequate birthing kits, underscoring the urgent need for support.
"This project is the beginning of a new chapter. We discovered that the facility needed essential delivery materials, and we stepped in because every safe birth counts. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and this is our first step towards reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths," he said.
The medical doctor stressed that ignorance remains one of the leading contributors to maternal deaths, urging pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics where health workers can detect complications early.
The District Governor, District 9127 Rotary Year 2026/ 2027, Rotarian Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko reaffirmed Rotary's commitment to improving maternal and child health, describing it as one of the organisation's core areas of focus.
Owonikoko said the initiative underscored Rotary's dedication to ensuring safe motherhood and healthy childhood through community-based interventions.
He commended the Rotary Club of Abuja for organizing the programme under the leadership of its president, with the support of the District Chair for Maternal and Child Health, Rtn Dr Usman.
According to him, the outreach aligns with Rotary's mission of supporting vulnerable communities through impactful humanitarian projects.
"This event is significant because it falls under one of Rotary's seven areas of focus—maternal and child health. We are committed to the wellbeing of mothers and children and will continue to support initiatives that improve their lives," he said.
The district governor expressed delight over the successful deliveries recorded during the programme, noting that the survival and wellbeing of both mothers and newborns remain a source of joy for Rotarians.
Also, The Immediate Past District Polio Chair of Rotary International District 9127 and member of the Rotary Club of Abuja, Dr. Kadijat Kuburat Yusuf, called for increased government investment and stronger collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to reduce Nigeria's persistently high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Dr Yusuf said maternal and newborn deaths remain a major public health concern, stressing that the health status of any nation is measured by the wellbeing of its mothers and children.
She noted that despite ongoing interventions, Nigeria still records unacceptably high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, making sustained efforts by government, development partners and civil society imperative.
"One of the key indicators used to assess the health of a nation is its maternal and neonatal indices. Unfortunately, our maternal mortality and neonatal mortality rates are still high. This means we must continue to intervene and intensify efforts to save more lives," she said.
She identified poverty, lack of education, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, poor access to health facilities and cultural practices as some of the major factors contributing to maternal deaths in the country.
According to her, many women are unable to access quality healthcare because of financial constraints, while others face cultural barriers that require them to obtain permission before seeking medical attention.
She acknowledged the efforts of government in improving healthcare delivery but maintained that more needs to be done, particularly in underserved communities.
The Site Coordinator of Mothers to Models Nigeria at Sheritti Primary Healthcare Centre, Queen Esther, lauded the Rotary Club of Abuja for supporting maternal and child health initiatives, saying the intervention has revitalised the facility and improved access to quality healthcare for women and children.
Esther said the healthcare centre had previously suffered from poor patronage due to inadequate organisation and limited services but has witnessed a remarkable turnaround following recent reforms.
