
Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Abubakar Yakubu gave the commendation on the commemoration of safe motherhood Day held in Lokoja on Thursday.
Dr. Abubakar explained that the agency so far has been able to upgrade and revitalize personal health clinics in every political ward of the state, recruiting over sixty midwives to health facilities across the state.
The National Safe Motherhood Day 2023 is observed annually on 11 April.
According to the world health organization, (WHO), pregnancy and childbirth-related deaths kill around 830 Women per day globally.
Between 2016 and 2030, the sustainable development goals mandate that the global maternal death ratio be reduced to far below 70 per 100,000 babies.
To meet this target, the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency living no stone unturned toward ensuring that, pregnant women deliver their babies without any complications.
Kogi State Primary Health Care Development agency under the executive director, Dr. Abubakar Yakubu for the first time in the history of Kogi State is observing the National Safe Motherhood Day 2023 with the theme” Access to quality maternal Care: a right for every pregnant Woman.
This year’s celebration which had in attendance Pregnant Women drawn across the 21 Local Governments of Kogi State is aimed at creating awareness about the proper healthcare of women and maternity facilities for pregnant and lactating women.
The agency was encouraged by the turnout of Women and the effort put in place by Governorship Yahaya Bello towards improving the healthcare service of women across the State, the Executive Director, of Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Abubakar Yakubu in his address said the agency is committed toward the realization of this year theme with its slogan “save the Mothers save the future”.

He stressed that pregnancy-related problems and mortality rates among women necessitated the commemoration of the day, urging all stakeholders to key into the vision to reduce pregnancy complications among young women.
Dr. Abubakar explained that the agency so far has been able to upgrade and revitalize personal health clinics in every political ward of the state, recruiting over sixty midwives to health facilities across the state.
In her titled overcoming delays to access maternal services, Doctor Mrs. Mary Onoja- Alexander urged governments at all levels to put policies in place to protect mothers.

While the Kogi State Commissioner for Health Dr. Zakari Usman charged pregnant Women to always make use of recognized health facilities while delivering their babies.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Secretary to the Kogi State Government Dr. Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, Kogi State Head of Service, Mrs. Hannah Odiyo, Executive Secretary, Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Aledare Adekunle, and key players across the ministry of health.
The highlight of this year’s National Safe Motherhood Day was the distribution of towels to more than 100 pregnant women in Kogi State.
National Safe Motherhood Day 2023 is observed annually on 11 April. This day also focuses on reducing anemia among women, institutional delivery, and better pre and postnatal health care, which are necessary for mothers.

This day was initiated by White Ribbon Alliance India in 2003 to raise the importance of healthy habits, and the availability and accessibility of healthcare programs for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care.