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Port Harcourt – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a campaign to combat maternal and newborn mortality by rolling out the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) across the Niger Delta.
The campaign began with the training of traditional birth attendants in Delta and Bayelsa States, aimed at improving maternal and newborn healthcare through safer delivery practices and timely referrals to health facilities.
Speaking at the workshop, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s drive to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
Represented by the NDDC Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku encouraged women and traditional birth attendants to complement traditional childbirth practices with orthodox medical care to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the Commission is implementing the MAMII programme as part of its broader efforts to strengthen maternal and child healthcare in the region.
Ogbuku described the high rate of maternal and child mortality as unacceptable, stressing the need for sustained awareness and capacity building.
“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be reduced. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted,” he said.
He explained that the workshop equipped participants with practical knowledge on safe maternal and newborn care, early detection of pregnancy-related complications and prompt referral of high-risk cases to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Also speaking, the NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, urged women to prioritise safe childbirth and acquire the knowledge needed to protect the lives of mothers and infants in their communities.
Represented by the NDDC Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that over 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa States participated in the programme and received medical equipment and cash support to strengthen their services.
One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, highlighted the strategic role of traditional birth attendants in underserved communities, noting that regular training would enhance their capacity to deliver safer maternal and newborn care.
She said, “Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities, and by equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, leading to better health outcomes.”
A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, praised the NDDC for organising the workshop, saying it had improved her skills and deepened her understanding of when to refer expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals.
“It is a very good thing that NDDC did. I have gained a lot of knowledge today that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community, and I have also learnt to refer mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a situation is beyond my capacity,” she said.
