By Mary Jalingo.
The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, has pledged to support civil societies advocacy for citizens engagement in health care policy formulation for improved maternal and child health care in the state.
The emir made the pledge when he received National Coordinator of White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria (WRAN), Mr. Tonte Ibraye during an advocacy visit to him at his palace. He commended WRAN for choosing the state to implement their project and assured of his support to ensure that Primary Healthcare services are improved in the state.
Speaking earlier, WRAN advocacy team lead by Mr. Ibraye commended the state for its initiative to strengthen 200 primary healthcare facilities and also bring in additional 70 aimed at ensuring that the state becomes centre of excellence.
The initiative according to him, is laudable as primary healthcare facilities are closer to the people especially those at the rural areas and are affordable.
Based on the recommendations from Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) of the United Nations, citizens are to be engaged in policy formulation and programme implementation at all levels in the state.
“If citizens were not consulted when programmes are being implemented, they may not understand what the issues are, engaging citizens and accountability would encourage women delivering in the healthcare facilities instead of visiting traditional birth attendant,” Ibraye said.
