The Sokoto State Government has distributed multimillion-naira assorted reproductive health equipment and essential medicines to 23 Local Government Areas to reduce maternal mortality in the state.
The items were distributed to 23 high-burden Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and 23 other PHCs to improve free and quality healthcare delivery across the state.
The event was flagged off by the wife of the State Governor, Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, on Thursday in Sokoto.
According to her, the state government remains fully committed to the protection of women and children, noting that her husband has pledged quality healthcare services under his 9-Point Smart Agenda.
She said, “There can be no meaningful development without a healthy society.”
The First Lady also urged health personnel to uphold the highest ethical standards in the discharge of their responsibilities.
She further called on security agencies and traditional rulers to safeguard the items, warning that “anyone found diverting them should be apprehended and brought to justice.”
Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu also appealed to husbands to allow their wives to attend antenatal clinics and deliver in health facilities.
She commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering support for women and children nationwide, as well as maternal and child healthcare.
Dr Fatima Ahmed Aliyu further acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in ensuring the attainment of the 9-Point Smart Agenda.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar, said the journey so far has been remarkable, adding that all health facilities in the state are now fully functional.
He said women, children, and other vulnerable persons across the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State are receiving free and quality medical care.
According to him, all hospitals and other health facilities at all levels have been made fully functional, with no fewer than 160 PHCs renovated.
Dr Abubakar added that Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto had fully revitalised secondary and tertiary health institutions, saying, “This has led to a reduction in maternal mortality by improving safe deliveries.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Muhammad Bello Marnona, said the landmark event aligns with the 9-Point Smart Agenda of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.
“He has promised to improve healthcare services across the state, and he is doing just that,” the Special Adviser added.
According to him, apart from rehabilitating 23 General Hospitals, under the Governor’s watch, no fewer than two-thirds of the 800 PHCs in the state have been given a facelift to make them fully functional.
Dr Marnona also disclosed that no fewer than 2,000 additional nurses and midwives were recruited into the state’s healthcare system in 2025.
