Oyo state government launches ‘Tomotiya’ initiative to reduce maternal, neonatal mortality rates

Segun Showunmi in Ibadan

The Oyo State Government has on Wednesday, launched an initiative known as ‘Tomotiya’, an effort aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality rate in the state.

Penpushing reports that the programme, which was inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, was equally aimed at improving the quality of reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child healthcare across the state.

The Governor, Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, said at the launching of the initiative,  that it aims to, among other things, reduce maternal mortality rate by 30 per cent and neonatal mortality rate by 20 per cent.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mr. Taiwo Adisa, in a statement said following the launch of the initiative, the number of births by skilled birth  in the state will increase by 30 per cent while the healthcare facility utilization in the state will also rise to 60 per cent.

Penpushing further reports that, while inaugurating the steering and technical working committees, the governor stated that the committees will oversee all the reproductive, maternal, newborn and Child health (RMNCH) programmes in the state, while giving insights into the direction things should go.

The Governor assured that the state, through the initiative, will meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Number Three, which targets improving maternal health.

“It is this project that we are here today to inaugurate – the  T’ỌMỌ T’ÌYÁ Initiative. As the name suggests, the initiative is for the mother and child. It is one key way through which we will be meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) number three, which targets improving maternal health’.

“Our plan is to ensure that qualitative Maternal and Child Healthcare services are offered at minimal cost. This will enable us to meet the objectives of this initiative.We are aware that in 2023, when this administration will be winding down, there will be another NDHS report’.

‘When that report comes out, we would like to see drastic reductions in these negative indices. Our goal is to reduce maternal mortality by 30 per cent and reduce neonatal, infant and child mortality by 20 per cent in Oyo State’.

Penpushing also reports that the governor added that the state will begin a pilot testing of some of the programmes under the initiative, noting that the state will advocate the meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of four or more antenatal care visits during pregnancy.

“So, we hope to start piloting some of the programmes under this initiative in the shortest possible time. One of the important things we will be advocating is meeting the WHO recommendation of four or more antenatal care visits during pregnancy.

“The statistics show that when pregnant women are able to make at least four visits, the major complications that account for nearly 75 per cent of all maternal deaths are prevented”, Makinde said

Penpushing reports that, speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello, said the initiative is meant to ensure the welfare of the women before, during and after birth, particularly the new life they are bringing forth.

The Commissioner added that the present administration in the state is committed to improving the health sector and changing the undesirable indices recorded in the National Child Health,and hinted that the government will work towards seeing that every pregnant woman is insured with the support of local governments.

“It is our belief that every pregnant woman, henceforth, will not only be insured but will also be given the necessary attention. With our authenticated preparation of the delivery, we are sure of what we are going to deliver. The very best attention we give to such a neonate will determine what is going to become of his or her future life”,he said