HEALTH COMMISSIONER FLAGS OFF THIRD PHASE OF SAFE DELIVERY INITIATIVE IN SOKOTO STATE

The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Sokoto State, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, has officially flagged off the Third Phase of the Safe Delivery Initiative, with the enrolment of an additional 75 Primary Health Care Centres across the state into the programme.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar described the event as another significant milestone in the state’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn healthcare. He explained that the inclusion of the 75 additional Primary Health Care Centres is a major expansion that builds directly on the successes recorded during Phases One and Two of the initiative.

According to the Commissioner, the expansion reflects the Sokoto State Government’s deliberate and sustained commitment to ensuring that more mothers, particularly those in rural communities, have access to quality and safe delivery services.

Dr. Faruk stated that the initiative is sustained through domestic resources, with the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) serving as its financial backbone. He emphasized that the programme is not donor-dependent but a state-owned investment designed to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Sokoto State.

The Commissioner further charged all implementing agencies, including the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA), Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (SOCHEMA), Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency (DMSMA) and Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to work collaboratively as one coordinated system. He stressed that only through teamwork, clearly defined responsibilities and shared accountability can the state close the gaps in maternal and newborn healthcare services across the 75 facilities and beyond.

In his remarks, the Honourable Special Adviser to the Governor on SOCHEMA, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, urged the beneficiary health facilities to make judicious use of the medical commodities provided under the programme. He noted that regular monitoring and supportive supervision would be carried out to ensure effective utilization of the commodities.
He commended the Honourable Commissioner for Health for his visionary leadership and expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, FCNA, for his unwavering commitment to the development of the health sector in the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Honourable Special Adviser to the Governor on the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA), Dr. Bello Marnona, called on Directors of Primary Health Care from the 23 Local Government Areas to ensure effective implementation of the initiative and strengthen coordination at the facility level to achieve the desired outcomes.

Also speaking, the Director-General of SOCHEMA, Dr. Yusuf Abu Abdulkadir, stated that the initiative aligns with the Honourable Commissioner’s directive that all relevant health agencies should work under a unified framework to enhance safe delivery services and improve maternal and child health outcomes across Sokoto State.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the development partners, the ACASUS Programme Manager, Dr. Daniel, commended the Honourable Commissioner for the initiative and praised the Sokoto State Government for harmonising the relevant health agencies to work under one umbrella in advancing safe delivery services.

He reaffirmed the continued support and commitment of the development partners towards strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

In his closing remarks, the Director-General of the Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency (DMSMA), Pharmacist Mustapha Attahiru, made a firm commitment that the Agency would conduct comprehensive stock verification and last-mile distribution checks across all the 75 beneficiary health facilities within a defined period following the flag-off.

He noted that the exercise would ensure accountability, effective commodity management and uninterrupted availability of essential supplies for maternal and newborn healthcare services.

The Safe Delivery Initiative is one of the flagship interventions of the Sokoto State Government aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality while strengthening access to quality healthcare services across the state through coordinated action, sustainable financing and strengthened institutional collaboration.

The event was attended by the Honourable Special Adviser to the Governor on SOSACA, Alhaji Sada Ibrahim Durbawa; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi, mni; the Executive Secretary, SSPHCDA, Dr. Bilyaminu Balarabe Yari Sifawa; the Executive Secretary, SOSACA, Muktar Isa Ilyasu; the Executive Director, Health Services Management Board, Dr. Bello Abubakar Attahiru; Directors from the Ministry of Health and its agencies, development partners, and other key stakeholders in the health sector.

Bashiru Garba
Public Relations Officer
Ministry for Health
Sokoto State