In a significant move to address the high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, the Benue State Government, represented by Deputy Governor Barr. Dr. Sam Ode Mni, inaugurated the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII) Taskforce on Day 4 of the ongoing MAMII Benue State Activation Workshop. The event, held today, marks a renewed commitment to improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
The 38-member Taskforce, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Ejeh Paul Ogwuche, and co-chaired by Mrs. Grace Ashive Wende, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB), is tasked with spearheading the MAMII initiative. This strategic leadership underscores the government’s dedication to driving meaningful change, particularly in reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.
During the ceremony, Mr. Abraham Ahmadu from the Sector-Wide Approach Coordinating Office (SWApCO) presented the MAMII Plaque to the State Government, symbolizing the official handover and commitment to the initiative. In his speech, Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode emphasized that the event is not just ceremonial but a symbol of a renewed commitment to protecting the lives of women and children, aiming to end preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
Dr. Ode charged the newly inaugurated Taskforce to work with integrity, urgency, and innovation, bearing in mind the hopes of thousands of mothers and babies who deserve to live, thrive, and contribute to society. The establishment of the Taskforce is seen as a testament to the state’s dedication to addressing one of its most pressing health challenges, with a focus on improving access to quality maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
This development positions Benue State to make significant strides in enhancing overall citizen well-being and marks the beginning of a new era in the state’s health sector.
