A non governmental organisation, the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria, has called on the Niger State Government to strengthen citizen-led accountability structures in the state primary health care system as a means of curbing the high rate of maternal and child mortality in the state.
The National Coordinator, of the NGO, Tonte Ibraye, said on Saturday at a One Day Stakeholders Meeting on accountability organised in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health that the benefits of citizen participation are enormous.
Ibraye disclosed that the present state maternal mortality rates, which stands at 130/100,000 live births, under five mortality of 103/100,000 and infant mortality of 260/100,000 live births can be reversed if citizens play a more active role in the health policy decision-making process, using existing channels to demand better health care services, identify problems and proffer solutions.
He added that it would also restore confidence, leading to increased facility based deliveries, access to skilled birth attendants, quality, equitable and dignified care for all women and children.
According to Ibraye: “For citizen to advocate for improved maternal, newborn and child healthcare in Nigeria, structures would improve utilization of services and increase access to quality maternal, newborn and child health services in the state.
“The importance of citizen participation cannot be over-emphasised as it would help to protect government investments and increase community ownership of maternal and newborn health programs. When citizens are engaged, they can report back to government when things are not working out well.”
Furthermore, Ibraye said one of such structures responsible for driving citizen-led accountability in the PHC system is the Ward Health Development Committee, which he noted was set up to improve community ownership of health projects, promote community action for health and act as a link between the government and the citizens.
He commended the state government for its efforts in making healthcare, especially for women and children, accessible; and said their collaborating with WRAN to organize a one-day stakeholder meeting on citizen-led accountability aimed at unveiling the framework for the operation of WHDC would serve as a road map for the activities of the WHDC in the State.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mustapha Jibrin, assured that the State will partner with WRAN and relevant NGOs to see that health as a basic necessity would be affordable and accessible.