By GARBA MUHAMMAD

Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths through improved emergency care, skilled health workers and stronger clinical systems.

Ahmed said maternal and newborn survival remained a major priority of the Governor Uba Sani administration, stressing that every pregnant woman and newborn deserved timely, safe and dignified healthcare.

She spoke at a three-day co-creation and work-planning workshop on Training on Emergency Action and Workflow Management in Obstetrics and Neonatal Care (TEAM-OB/NEO) in Kaduna.

The Commissioner explained that effective management of obstetric and neonatal emergencies required rapid response, clearly defined clinical workflows, functional equipment, adequate commodities and coordinated teamwork among healthcare providers.

According to her, healthcare workers must possess strong diagnostic skills supported by functioning equipment, reliable medical commodities and seamless teamwork.

"TEAM OB/NEO this exact frontline reality, bringing clinical competence and emergency workflow optimisation", the commissioner said.

In an interview, KADMAM Co-Chair, Garba Muhammad, commended the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, TAConnect and other partners for convening the workshop, describing TEAM-OB/NEO as an opportunity to strengthen maternal and newborn emergency care through simulation-based training, improved clinical workflows and better referral coordination.

Muhammad said KADMAM would support advocacy, community engagement and implementation monitoring. He urged stakeholders to integrate the workplan into the State Annual Operational Plan, with clear responsibilities, measurable indicators and sustainable financing to ensure timely and lifesaving care for mothers and newborns.

Presenting an overview of the intervention, Dr Alhassan Momoh disclosed that 69,668 deliveries were monitored across participating facilities between July 2025 and August 2026. He said the use of calibrated blood-collection drapes increased from 34 per cent to 60 per cent, while postpartum haemorrhage remained at three per cent, representing 2,281 recorded cases.

Participants recommended expanding TEAM-OB/NEO training, establishing simulation centres and equipping facilities with neonatal heart-rate monitors, resuscitation devices and functional newborn corners. Health officials also emphasised continuous onsite mentorship and step-down training, while disclosing that the state plans to recruit additional health workers in 2027 to address staffing shortages.

Ahmed said the TEAM-OB/NEO programme would help healthcare workers respond more effectively to emergencies by strengthening their practical skills, improving clinical decision-making and promoting teamwork in maternity and neonatal units.

She commended TAConnect and its partners for supporting the state’s maternal and newborn health programmes, including the management of postpartum haemorrhage, which remains a leading cause of maternal deaths.

According to her, the workshop should produce a realistic and actionable implementation workplan that reflects Kaduna State’s maternal and newborn health priorities and can be integrated into the State Annual Operational Plan.

The Commissioner urged participants to identify implementation challenges and recommend practical solutions for strengthening referral systems, simulation-based learning, commodity security, quality assurance and government ownership of the programme.

The workshop brought together officials of the Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, healthcare professionals, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Participants are expected to develop a phased implementation roadmap and monitoring framework for the rollout and institutionalisation of TEAM-OB/NEO across health facilities in Kaduna State.