Every day, many pregnant women across Nigeria undergo health crises that are preventable due to the gaps which exist in the delivery of healthcare services across health facilities. This could be attributed to cultural, traditional or religious factors in communities around the country.
To commemorate 2024’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a joint community sensitisation was organised at the Wudil’s Chief palace in Kano State by Nigeria Health Watch on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in collaboration with Kasham Girls Initiative and Akin Savvy. The event, aimed at strengthening the community’s health system through effective male engagement to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
The event specifically sought to encourage men to support pregnant women to access healthy diets and quality healthcare at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), which could reduce maternal mortality rate.
During the gathering, several factors that are barriers to accessing basic maternal and child health services were highlighted including, bad roads, inadequate healthcare workers and resources, and poor sensitisation campaigns.
Despite these challenges, the PHC at Wudil provides basic services, including antenatal care, family planning, and immunisation, amidst its struggles with resources and staffing.
Aaron Bawala, the Community Engagement Coordinator at Nigeria Health Watch, underlined the gravity of the situation, saying, “Nigeria has a high maternal mortality rate (MMR) and is among the countries with the highest rates in the world. So, it [reducing maternal mortality] requires community involvement to fill the gaps. When the residents speak out, the policymakers can act.
Dinatu Dama Maji, Kasham Girls Initiative, pointed out the key role men can play in supporting pregnant women and how serious complications may set in if pregnant women’s special needs are ignored especially in accessing good nutrition. She urged for community support for women to patronise health facilities as often as possible during pregnancy.
Shehu Musa Wudil, a respected elder in Wudil, stated that more health talks and sensitisation programs will be organised in hospitals and mosques to encourage attendance and to foster community-wide understanding.
The meeting was concluded with the representative of the District Head calling for broader engagement with community leaders to ensure wider reach and impact.
The community sensitisation marked a pivotal moment for Wudil. Stakeholders recognised the essential role of male involvement in women’s health and emphasised the need for action to address healthcare-related challenges that primarily affect women and children. This can be achieved through increased sensitisation campaigns and health education initiatives, utilising various platforms such as hospitals, mosques, and other community hubs.