Taraba State Intensifies Fight Against Maternal Mortality with RMNCAH Training
The Taraba State government has significantly escalated its efforts to combat maternal mortality following the successful conclusion of a comprehensive nine-day training program for master trainers on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH). This critical initiative, organized by the Life Spring Development Foundation in partnership with the Taraba State Government and supported by the Sector Wide Approach Programme (SWAp), was conducted in Jalingo, the state capital. The training specifically aimed at enhancing the capacity of healthcare professionals to deliver integrated RMNCAH services throughout the state.
Comprehensive Training and Practical Skills Development
The intensive nine-day program, as documented by The Guardian, provided participants with hands-on skills in essential areas such as family planning, infection prevention, antenatal and delivery care, management of obstetric emergencies, post-abortion care, and response to gender-based violence. According to the organizers, these master trainers are now tasked with developing post-training mentorship and on-the-job training schedules to cascade the knowledge to 35 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across two designated Local Government Areas (LGAs). This step is crucial for strengthening primary healthcare delivery services and ensuring widespread impact.
Leadership and Commitment to Health Improvement
During the event, the Country Director of the Life Spring Development Foundation, Dr. David Ebodaghe, represented by Dr. Ojukwu Mark Ojukwu, emphasized that the initiative is designed to improve access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for women in Taraba. He praised Governor Agbu Kefas, the State Ministry of Health, and the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency for their dedication to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. Ebodaghe highlighted that strengthening healthcare workers' capacity is vital for delivering quality services and urged continued state support for the trained master trainers to fulfill their roles effectively.
He further noted that, in addition to certificates of participation, outstanding trainees might receive certificates of merit through collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the SWAp Office, incentivizing excellence in the program.
Field Assessments and Optimistic Outlook
Dr. Jedidaiah D.K. Sodje, the lead facilitator, revealed that the 12 state master trainers visited multiple health facilities, where they provided family planning services and conducted competency assessments to gauge current practices. The Programme Manager of the foundation, Onyeka Nwosu, expressed confidence that this initiative would substantially reduce the disease burden and maternal deaths in Taraba. He stressed that the success of family planning and maternal health interventions heavily relies on the competence of trained healthcare providers, who are now equipped to disseminate their training across facilities in the pilot LGAs.
Addressing High Mortality Rates and Future Steps
Dr. Nuhu Tukura, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, lamented the high rates of maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality in the state but expressed optimism that the training would help reverse this troubling trend. He identified Lau and Zing among five local government areas that contribute significantly to maternal mortality and called for collective action to address this challenge. Tukura also urged healthcare providers to enhance communication and build stronger relationships with patients, stating, "As clinical personnel, you must have listening ears. There should be rapport between you and your clients. All clients should be allowed to make informed decisions about their care."
He encouraged the trainees to cascade the knowledge and skills acquired to other healthcare workers across facilities, noting that this would improve the delivery of quality healthcare services statewide. Tukura assured that the government would strengthen referral systems and ensure the timely procurement and distribution of essential commodities to health facilities, further supporting the fight against maternal mortality.
