June 11, (THEWILL) – In efforts to address maternal and neonatal mortality in the Borno State, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has built a new emergency medical facility, which was inaugurated on Tuesday, in the state’s capital city, Maiduguri.
The 92-bed facility will provide life-saving care to women facing obstetrical complications and neonates requiring urgent medical attention.
The Chief Medical Director of Borno State Hospital Management Board, Professor Abubakar Kullima, said the strategic partnership between the Borno Ministry of Health and MSF in this large-scale project underscores a shared commitment to increasing access to healthcare and combating preventable deaths.
“The opening of this facility marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to strengthen maternal and infant care services in Borno.
“Reducing the devastating impact of maternal and infant deaths is an absolute priority for the Borno government, and the Ministry of Health is committed to making this facility an excellence centre in this objective. The invaluable support from MSF in this project will be key in achieving this.”
MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria, Karsten Noko, said until 2029, the international medical charity, MSF, will provide medical and financial support to the Ministry of Health staff to increase its autonomy in delivering high-quality maternal and neonatal care services.
He added that, in five years, a gradual transition plan will be implemented to transfer competencies and knowledge and complete the withdrawal of MSF from the facility.
“We are most delighted to partner with the State Ministry of Health for such an important, life-saving project.
“With Borno State continuing to grapple with high mortality rates among mothers and newborns, the inauguration of this referral facility signifies a beacon of hope for women with obstetric complications.
“Yet, much more remains to be done to increase access to antenatal care for women, to detect and treat complications before they become a threat. Investment in basic maternal care for all women remains key to reducing the alarming rates of maternal and infant deaths in this region.”
MSF said the facility could provide care to over 7,000 women in need every year, noting admissions to the facility will be done through referrals from selected basic emergency obstetric and newborn care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere LGAs. MSF supports six of these centres.
About the Author
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
