By Prosper Mene
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (KSPHCMB) to intensify efforts against the persistently high rates of maternal and child mortality in the state.
The collaboration was announced during a state-level training workshop on the Maternal, Neonatal and Child Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII) held in Kano on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Field Operations and Emergency, Judith Leveillee, who addressed participants at the training, described the situation as requiring urgent and coordinated intervention. The programme targets 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across more than 200 wards where the need is most acute.
“Only about 50 percent of pregnant women in the state receive care from skilled health providers, while just 36 percent deliver with the assistance of skilled birth attendants,” Leveillee said. She added that under-five mortality stands at 158 deaths per 1,000 live births, calling the figures “a major public health concern that demands sustained action.
Leveillee praised the commitment of both the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Kano State Government for aligning with national health priorities. She assured that UNICEF will continue to support the rollout of MAMII alongside the Community-Based Health Worker programme in the selected wards.
The Director General of KSPHCMB, Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim, represented by the Director of Family Health, Aliyu Zubair Maidutse, reaffirmed the Board’s dedication to delivering quality, people-centred healthcare services.
“We are confident that adopting the MAMII approach will improve efficiency and service delivery across primary healthcare facilities,” he stated.
Nana Sanda Abubakar, Director of Community Health Services at NPHCDA, commended the initiative and stressed the importance of strong collaboration, capacity building, and strategic coordination.
“Sustained partnerships are vital for improving health outcomes and expanding access to essential services,” she noted.
The training equipped stakeholders with practical skills in client-centred case management to accelerate service delivery and achieve better health results.
MAMII is a federal government-backed innovation aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, boosting skilled birth attendance, and reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns, particularly in high-burden states like Kano.
Officials expressed optimism that the partnership will translate into measurable declines in mortality rates through improved access, community engagement, and data-driven interventions.
The initiative forms part of broader national and international efforts to address Nigeria’s maternal and child health challenges, with Kano identified as a critical focus area due to its population size and prevailing indicators.
