Based on the statistics for 2021 recently released by the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS), Zamfara state is rated the least in neonatal and children under-five mortality and morbidity rates in the North-west zone.
The executive secretary of the state’s Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Tukur Ismail, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gusau Friday.
According to him, the survey indicated that Zamfara has 31 neonatal mortality rates per one thousand live births which is the highest performing state across the North-west zone.
“Statistics indicated that under five mortality rate, Zamfara state scored 136 putting it second performing state, after Kaduna that scored 127 to top the survey while Kebbi, Katsina and Jigawa states had under-five highest mortality rate with 202, 179 and 174 respectively,” he said.
On maternal and newborn cascade, Dr. Ismail said Zamfara recorded low performances, requiring more improvements to meet the national target, while on early initiation of breastfeeding the state topped the survey.
“Leadership and coordination roles by the ministry of health, support from traditional, religious and community leaders as well as acceptance from general communities on measures to promote health care delivery services had also helped tremendously towards development of healthcare delivery services in the state.
“These efforts by Governor Matawalle’s administration would go a long way in reducing the high number of home delivery as well as maternal mortality and morbidity rates among the vulnerable women and children across the state.”