Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) popularly known as Doctors Without Borders has opened a state of the art emergency obstetrical hospital in Maiduguri to address maternal and neonatal mortality in Borno.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the Chief Medical Director of Borno Health Management Board, Prof. Abubakar Kullima, said the project undertaken by MSF in collaboration with Borno Ministry of Health underscores a shared commitment to increase access to healthcare and 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 make this facility an excellence centre in this objective.
“The invaluable support from MSF in this project will be key in achieving this,” Kullima said.
In his message, Mr Karshen Noko, the MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria, said MSF was excited with its partnership with Borno in the inauguration of the 92-bed capacity 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,” Noko said.
In his remarks, the Borno Commissioner of Health, Prof. Baba Mallam, lauded MSF for its supporting activities in the state and assured the Borno Government continued partnership with it.
Mallam, who noted that the North East has remained the highest in maternal mortality, said that the Borno government on its part has started issuing free maternal drugs and Caesarean Section to pregnant women.
In his remarks, Gov. Babagana Zulum, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Bukar Tijjani, lauded efforts of MSF in supporting the healthcare sector in the state and urged other organizations to emulate it.
The facility could provide care to over 7,000 women in need on a yearly basis, while admissions to the facility will be done through referrals from selected basic emergency obstetric and newborn care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere LGAs.
