MamaYe recently launched in Kano State, but is that all? You will get to know when you read to the last paragraph. And you know we will always bring you stories about actions that individuals, communities and policy makers are taking to improve maternal and newborn health.
Hajia Binta Rabi'u - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Kano StateWhen the Kano State Head of Civil Service, Dr. Umar Shehu Minjibir couldn’t grace the launch of MamaYe in his State, he appointed the very right person, the Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs, Hajia Binta Rabi’u, to represent him and deliver his good wishes. Then by extension, MamaYe gained an influence on Hajia Binta and her Ministry, as the campaign would help in the socio-cultural affairs of women in her State.Dr. Minjibir deeply appreciated bringing MamaYe to the people of Kano State. He noted in his speech as delivered by Hajia Binta that:“The activities of MamaYe in the State are timely, considering the rate of maternal mortality being witnessed today in the country, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria. This effort is in tandem with recent administration’s crusade under the able leadership of his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, in healthcare delivery in the State.“His performance is evident in the rehabilitation of maternity wards and provision of free maternity services in all the general hospitals across the State.“My dear participants, you will all bear me witness that the present administration is not only committed on maternal healthcare services but also committed towards improving healthcare services in the state through the introduction of numerous programs and policies such as routine vaccination for children under five years and ongoing completion of the ultra-modern specialist hospital for women and children at Zoo Road, all in an effort to impact positively on the health status of women and children across the State.“Let me assure you that the government is ready at all times to partner with all stakeholders in improving the health standard of the citizenry and wish you a success in all your undertakings in the State.”And we said “amen” to that.The MamaYe Kano State launch took place on October 10 2013 at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, where community dignitaries, political stakeholders, concerned individuals, pressmen and media associations, and development partners came together to witness and contribute to MamaYe actions and public inclusion for improved maternal and newborn health in Kano State.But, that’s not all. MamaYe has continued to spread in Kano State through community forum and networking to reach and include the remotest parts of the State where accessibility to health facilities and midwives may be low but where everyone is contributing to saving lives of mothers and babies.