The Borno State government has urged over 240 partners to scale up efforts to mitigate the maternal and neo-natal mortality in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Bukar Tijjani disclosed this while commissionning a new 92-bed emergency obstetric care built by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Dr Bukar said the facility is a significant milestone is a major step towards addressing the pressing issue of maternal and neonatal mortality in Borno state and the North-East region as a whole.

“We have 245 partners currently working with the state government, we need more commitment that would translate into improving the lives of our people especially in health sector. With this intervention we are witnessing today this will surely go a long way to improve the health sector of our state. We are grateful for this timely intervention,”he said.

He acknowledged the significant role played by MSF in providing sustainable healthcare solutions to the people of Borno State.

MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria, Karsten Noko said a new 92-bed medical facility is designed to provide high-quality emergency obstetric care to women and newborns, helping to reduce the number of preventable deaths and improving overall healthcare outcomes in the region.

“With Borno State continuing to grapple with high mortality rates among mothers and newborns, the inauguration of this referral facility signifies a beacon of hope for women with obstetric complications.

Yet, much more remains to be done to increase access to antenatal care for women, to detect and treat complications before they become a threat.

“Investment in basic maternal care for all women remains key to reduce the alarming rates of maternal and infant deaths in this region.”Karsten noted.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of Borno State Hospital Management Board Prof Abubakar Kullima said,“Reducing the devastating impact of maternal and infant deaths is an absolute priority for the Borno government, and the Ministry of Health is committed to make this facility an excellence centre in this objective. The invaluable support from MSF in this project will be key in achieving this.”Prof. Kullima.

According to MSF said the facility could provide care to over 7,000 women in need on a yearly basis. Adding that admissions to the facility will be done through referrals from selected basic emergency obstetric and newborn care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere LGAs.