Kaduna – The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday directed its Committee on Health to investigate the state government’s free maternal and child health care programme, which has become inaccessible to mothers.
This followed a motion moved by Alhaji Ibrahim Ismaila, representing Tudun Wada Constituency, who noted that although the was aimed at saving the lives of pregnant women and children below five years, access to it has become very difficult in the state.
“It has been observed that those categories of women and children find its difficult to access such programmes with many such groups of people dying daily from persistent attack of killer diseases mostly malaria.
“Government do no seem to be doing much in that area, ” he said.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
He also observed that patients generally were not getting qualitative drugs in public hospitals, resulting to multiple deaths on daily basis.
Ismail also said that the problem of inadequate health personnel especially midwives was “causing serious challenge to the programme.”
In his contribution, Mr Kantiok Irimiya (PDP- Zonkwa) said the probe would help to identify and solve the problems facing the free maternal programme.
“A healthy family and environment will ensure the sustenance of development of our state and the country at large,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr John Kwaturu, said the motion was apt, in view of the seriousness with which the present administration handles the health sector.
Alhaji Kasim Iliyasawa, (APC- Zaria City) called on the assembly to investigate the matter deeply and come up with a holistic solution.
Alhaji Muktar Hazo, representing Basawa constituency, supported the motion but said there was need to create more awareness on the free maternal programme.
“Most of the people are not aware of the programme and its importance to their survival and that of their children.
“We need to embark on a lot of campaigns to educate pregnant women and young mothers of the immense benefits of going for antenatal and patronising the government’s free medicare programme.”
The Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Shagali, gave the health committee up to April 12, to investigate the matter and report back to the assembly.(NAN)