By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State has supported over 300 pregnant women with delivery items ahead of their maternity period as part of activities marking the World Breast Feeding Week.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony, the wife of the council chairman, Hajia Fatima Kabiru Mu’azu Mayere, said the gesture is to assist the eligible pregnant women in order to reduce the high rate of mortality among pregnant women and to enlighten them against traditional labour.
She explained that the essence of providing labour facilities to the pregnant women before a certain period of labour, is to curb the mortality rate and over bleeding during labour to improve healthy living in the society.
Fatima Msyere, also said, Makarfi Local Government Council under the chairmanship of Engr. Kabiru Mu’azu Mayere, is according priority to health, human, infrastructural development and security for sustainable development in the area.
The items distributed include packs of razor blades, soaps, toiletries, set of sweaters, baby care oil, perfumes, given to each person.
In her remarks, the head of Nutrition Unit of the local government area, Hajia Nafisat Yusuf, urged pregnant women to remain focused on breast feeding as directed, and also restrict their new born babies from water and other liquids before attaining a period of six months.
She said the council and Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai, remain committed to promoting health and other human capital development for effective service delivery.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director of Health, Aminu Audu who represented the Health Secretary, Dr. Gabriel Philemon, noted that the aims of providing labour primary needs is to reduce hardship.
The health secretary therefore, urged pregnant women to use the items judiciously and support government’s efforts at all levels.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Council Chairman, Kabiru Mu’azu Meyere, and Kaduna State Government for the gesture.