A groundbreaking examine led by Professor Hadiza Galadanci and her group on the Kano State Surveillance for Proof and Coverage (KASSEP) has unveiled key insights into the elements driving maternal and baby mortality in Kano State. The findings, introduced throughout a technical assembly on January 13, 2025, on the ACEPHAP Convention Room, spotlight actionable steps to handle these urgent healthcare challenges.
Talking on the occasion, Professor Galadanci emphasised the pressing must implement research-based methods to interrupt the cycle of maternal and baby mortality within the area. She famous that Kano State faces vital healthcare points, together with restricted entry to companies, notably in rural areas, and excessive mortality charges amongst moms and youngsters.
Overview of the KASSEP Mission
Professor Galadanci defined that the examine sought to handle the interaction of social, cultural, and systemic challenges contributing to maternal and baby deaths. She emphasised that these elements are sometimes poorly understood, hindering the design and implementation of efficient interventions.
The examine adopted a mixed-methods strategy, establishing a Pattern Registration System (SRS) often known as KASSEP. Consultant clusters have been chosen throughout senatorial districts and each city and rural areas to make sure complete knowledge assortment. The analysis mixed retrospective evaluation (protecting maternal deaths and stillbirths within the yr previous to the examine) with potential monitoring over a two-year interval, using the 2022 World Well being Group Verbal Post-mortem Instrument.
The mission aimed to determine the causes and contextual elements of maternal deaths and stillbirths whereas offering evidence-based suggestions for coverage and program interventions. Professor Galadanci highlighted the potential for these findings to speed up the implementation of confirmed, cost-effective options to scale back preventable deaths. These embody enhancing maternal and neonatal care, enhancing girls’s company, and addressing structural limitations to healthcare entry.
Authorities and Stakeholder Assist
Dr. Fatima Mahmoud, KASSEP Mission Coordinator, outlined the goals of the technical assembly, which included reviewing progress, addressing challenges, and planning future actions. She additionally mentioned leveraging conventional group constructions to ascertain a sustainable surveillance and monitoring system for maternal and baby well being indicators. Moreover, the assembly explored how KASSEP knowledge may help maternal and baby vitamin initiatives, providing alternatives for integration to enhance well being outcomes.
Kano State Commissioner for Well being, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, counseled the KASSEP group for his or her dedication. He assured attendees that the state authorities would set up a technical committee to evaluation the findings and implement the suggestions. As proof of its dedication to healthcare, Dr. Yusuf famous that Kano State lately contributed 500 million naira in counterpart funding to UNICEF.
Requires Diet Integration
Professor Hafiz Abubakar, Chairman of the Governing Council of North West College and a former Deputy Governor of Kano State, praised the KASSEP initiative. He urged the combination of vitamin into the analysis, stressing its significance for baby improvement. He defined that poor vitamin in early childhood, notably by age two, may result in lifelong penalties, if the kid survives the instant impacts.
Different audio system included Dr. Iman Warshu, who mentioned leveraging group management for sustainable well being outcomes; Malam Abdulrahman Ibrahim, who launched the mission’s knowledge visualization platform; Professor Baba Maiyaki Musa, who spoke on utilizing KASSEP knowledge for dietary surveillance; and Professor Salisu Maiwada Abubakar, who represented the vitamin knowledge group.
The assembly concluded with optimism that the KASSEP findings will drive vital progress in decreasing maternal and baby mortality in Kano State. Stakeholders expressed hope that the state authorities would swiftly act on the suggestions to enhance healthcare outcomes.