Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), an NGO, on Friday donated 100 motorbikes to Katsina State Government for traditional birth homes in the State.
CHAI Country Director, Mr Owens Wiwa, said while presenting the bikes in Katsina that the bikes would help in transporting pregnant women to maternity clinics.
He said the bike would also assist in reducing maternal and child deaths usually associated to lack of means of transportation.
Wiwa said the NGO would train Traditional Birth Attendants on safe delivery.
He said the training was part of the agreement signed by the Federal Government and Norway on how to improve maternal and child care in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the State Governor, Rt.Hon. Aminu Masari, said the motorbikes would assist in reducing maternal mortality by shortening the time taken to reach a health facility.
Masari said the donation was timely considering the fact that 2015 was the year targeted for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).
He said available statistics had revealed that North West zone, where Katsina belongs to, has the worst maternal and child health indices,.
He commended the NGO for the gesture and called on the beneficiaries to ensure security, regular maintenance and judicious use of the motorcycles.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in the state, Dr Ahmad Qabasiyyu, attributed the high maternal and child mortality in the state to delay in decision making in seeking for medical attention.(NAN)
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