2 weeks Ago By TOYIN ADEBAYO
ABUJA – In a strategic move to reduce Nigeria’s alarming infant and maternal mortality rates, Mr. Seyi Tinubu has launched a nationwide healthcare intervention program, starting with the official commissioning at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika-Zaria. The initiative aims to provide essential drugs to a minimum of 10,000 indigent patients per month at each of the 60 selected tertiary hospitals across Nigeria, focusing on the Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatric departments.
Represented by Pharm. Ojeje Amin Onimisi, Mr. Tinubu highlighted the need for Nigeria to improve its global ranking in infant and maternal health outcomes.
“This project is driven by compassion for children, and we aim to significantly reduce the rates of infant and maternal mortality in the country,” he said. The program will not only supply essential drugs but also expand to include the provision of medical equipment and funding for research aimed at improving pediatric health outcomes. Mr.
Tinubu urged hospital management to ensure the efficient use of the intervention for the most vulnerable indigent patients. Dr. Benson Ayodele Cole, the National Coordinator of the initiative, noted that tertiary hospitals were chosen for this phase due to their capacity to handle large numbers of indigent patients and their well-established systems.
He revealed that the program would later extend to secondary and primary healthcare facilities across the nation. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed-Zaria, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at ABUTH, applauded the initiative, stating it would significantly alleviate the suffering of mothers and children, thereby improving the nation’s health indices.
He assured that the hospital would judiciously manage the resources to serve the intended beneficiaries, particularly pregnant women and children under five. In addition to the healthcare initiative, Mr. Tinubu also addressed water scarcity in Zaria City by donating a solar-powered industrial borehole to the Banzazzau community.
This gesture aims to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, which are prevalent in areas with limited access to clean water. Further demonstrating his commitment to healthcare, Mr. Tinubu launched the Seyi Tinubu Residency Training Scholarship, offering a grant of 1,000,000 Naira to resident doctors in their final year to support their preparation for fellowship examinations.
The first recipient, Dr. Aisha Suleiman, a senior registrar, expressed her deep gratitude for the scholarship, which she said would ease the financial burden associated with her upcoming exams. Mrs.
Aisha Ololade, the National Coordinator for the intervention on education, emphasized the importance of portable water in maintaining effective Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices, which are critical in reducing infant and maternal mortality. She noted that the provision of clean water and drug banks are complementary efforts aimed at ensuring the safety and health of children and mothers across Nigeria. With these initiatives, Seyi Tinubu’s interventions are set to make a lasting impact on the healthcare and well-being of vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
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