By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
A coalition, under the aegis of Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (BaSAM) has paid an advocacy visit to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Wailo, Bauchi State, with the aim of establishing first ever MNCH-CDS group for Corps Members deployed to the State.
The Co-chair of BaSAM, Mr. Abu John Yusuf, who led other members of the coalition on the visit on Tuesday 26th July, 2022, while addressing the Corps members said that the objective of establishing the CDS group was based on the strategic roles the Corps members are playing in complementing government efforts towards service delivery across the country.
Mr. Yusuf informed the corps members that maternal mortality and child morbidity has been of disturbing concern, with Nigeria contributing large percentage of such avoidable deaths of pregnant women and new born children.
He said that BaSAM, as a coalition, had been using data evidence to advocate to policy makers and other key stakeholders on the best approach to reverse the disturbing trend.
“As corps members deployed to all the nooks and crannies of the country, you can play an important role by being advocates of improved MNCH services in your places of primary assignments.
“While BaSAM is carrying out advocacy to policy makers at the State level, you could also be our ambassadors at the local government and community levels, advocating for demand and access to MNCH services where are you deployed ”, said Mr. Yusuf.
The Co-chair disclosed that the proposed MNCH-CDS group activity will be an exciting and fulfilling endeavour that will expose the Corps members to skills of using evidence, through capacity training, to advocate for change, with a view to improved basic health care services in Bauchi State and the country at large.
“The skills acquired may become handy even beyond your service year. You can apply such skills in your home communities as an ambassador of improved MNCH service delivery”, said Mr Yusuf.
The team leader thanked the management of NYSC for their interest in the proposed MNCH-CDS group and the warm reception accorded BaSAM members during the advocacy visit, pledging that it wont be taken for granted.
Our correspondent observes that the interests of the Corps members was aroused judging by the rapt attention demonstrated by them during the address by the Co-chair. A new date will be communicated to BaSAM for the formal enrolment of the interested pioneer Corps members into the new MNCH-CDS group before the Orientation camping ends.
BaSAM is a coalition of members drawn from government health related MDAs, CSOs working in health sector and the media. The coalition uses evidence to advocate for improved health outcomes in Bauchi State.
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