The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has revealed that maternal and child mortality rates in Kano State remain dangerously high despite legislation passed two years ago promising free healthcare services.
During a media and civil society training held in Kano on Thursday, CHRICED's Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, represented by board member Nafisa Ado, disclosed that the free healthcare law enacted in 2023 has largely remained unimplemented.
"Kano State continues to grapple with alarming maternal and child mortality rates, which remain among the highest in Nigeria," Zikirullahi stated through his representative.
According to data from the Kano State Surveillance for Evidence and Policy (KASSEP) project cited by CHRICED, the maternal mortality ratio stands at 576 deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality is 59 per 1,000 live births—figures significantly exceeding both national averages and global targets.
"These statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives lost, families shattered, and futures cut short," Zikirullahi emphasized.
Gap Between Policy and Implementation
The 2023 law promises comprehensive free healthcare services including antenatal and postnatal care, emergency obstetric services (including C-sections), treatment for complications, and ambulance services for pregnant women. Additionally, it guarantees full healthcare coverage for newborns and children under five years of age.
However, CHRICED's investigation reveals that the law exists primarily on paper with no practical implementation framework in place.
"There is no operational roadmap, no consultative council, and no strategic plan to make this law work. The gap between policy and real action is unacceptable," the Executive Director added.
Furira Isiaka, Communications Officer at CHRICED, called for immediate and full implementation of the law, emphasizing the need for collective efforts from media organizations and civil society groups to highlight ground realities and pressure the government into action.
The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Kano, Salma Ahmad, also advocated for increased community engagement to educate grassroots women about their rights under the law.
Health experts note that effective implementation of the free healthcare policy could significantly reduce preventable deaths among women and children in the state, which currently ranks among regions with the highest maternal mortality in Nigeria.
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