IMC records improved awareness on maternal health in Kaduna communities



From Abubakar Sadiq, Zaria 

The Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) says it has recorded significant improvement in public awareness on maternal health issues six months after the commencement of its advocacy project in Kaduna State.

Hayatu Nurayn Ashafa, co-founder of the organisation disclosed this in an interview shortly after a one-day workshop with journalists in Kaduna.

He noted that many community members now understand the importance of antenatal care, hospital delivery and childbirth spacing.

According to him, one of the major successes of the programme is the level of knowledge acquired by residents in the target communities.

“So far, the success story has to do with the fact that the learning and knowledge are there. People now know there is need to attend antenatal care, give birth in hospitals and practise childbirth spacing,” He said.

Ashafa explained that many women and men in the communities can now identify danger signs associated with pregnancy due to the training and sensitisation carried out by the organisation.

“If you randomly interview 10 people, at least seven will tell you the importance of antenatal care and even explain danger signs in pregnancy because we have built their capacity on that,” Ashafa added.

Despite the progress, the organisation identified implementation as a major challenge, especially due to poverty and the inability of some families to afford medical expenses.

The IMC co-founder said some husbands admitted the importance of antenatal care and hospital delivery but complained about the costs involved.

"This informed the organisation’s continued advocacy for childbirth spacing and proper family planning through spousal communication.

“We are encouraging husbands and wives to sit together, communicate and plan their future based on their financial capacity instead of putting women’s lives at risk through frequent pregnancies,” Ashafa stated.

The organisation working under the Faith and Cultural Champion project stressed that no woman should avoid antenatal care or hospital delivery because of financial difficulties.

It added that government-owned primary healthcare centres in communities were established to provide accessible healthcare services.

IMC further affirmed its commitment to sustaining advocacy efforts aimed at reducing maternal and child health complications across the state.

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