By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The Sokoto State Government, through the Ministry of Health, has expressed its commitment to sustaining and scaling up the ongoing USAID-funded Momentum Safe Surgery Project (MSSFPO) Implemented by EngenderHealth in the State.
This commitment was one of the key outcomes of the recently concluded One-Day High-Level Sustainability and Scale-up Meeting organized by the USAID-funded Momentum Safe Surgery Project, implemented by Engender Health, held on May 15, 2024.
In her opening address at the meeting, State Commissioner of Health Hon. Hajia Asabe Balarabe, represented by Dr. Abdulganiyu Yusuf, Director of Public Health, highlighted the commendable achievements resulting from the State’s collaboration with the USAID Momentum Safe Surgery Project in the pursuit of quality healthcare delivery.
She emphasized that strategic partnerships and targeted intervention such as that of USAID Momentum, have led to tangible improvements in maternal and child health outcomes across Sokoto State.
Hajia Balarabe enumerated some of the major successes achieved through their partnership with the MOMENTUM Project, including championing fistula efforts and rehabilitation initiatives, capacity building for healthcare workers, enhancing safety protocols, innovative health information digitalization through the HEFRIAS platform, and collective advocacy resulting in a budget allocation of N200 Million for the procurement of fistular repair consumables, among other achievements.
“This landmark achievement reflects our dedication to ensuring the availability of essential resources for life-saving surgeries and reaffirms our commitment to the well-being of our citizens,” said the Commissioner.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the State Hospital Service Management Board, Dr. Bello Attahiru, represented by the Director of Administration, Muhammad Sani Yusuf, highlighted the innovative strategies and best practices implemented by some health facilities since the inception of the USAID Momentum Safe Surgery Project.
Dr. Attahiru emphasized on the tangible improvements in the quality of care provided, particularly in maternal and child health, including safe Caesarian deliveries.
He expressed pride in the initiatives spearheaded by their facilities, which have not only saved lives but also restored hope and dignity to countless individuals and families in their communities.
“While institutionalizing tools like the Robson tools and WHO surgical safety checklist and championing budget allocations for essential resources, our collective efforts have left an indelible mark on the healthcare landscape of Sokoto State,” said the Executive Director.
Highlighting the objectives of the event, Sokoto State Coordinator of USAID Funded MOMENTUM Safe Surgery, Umar Abdulrazaq, explained that the engagement aimed to assess the status of the project interventions, identify opportunities for sustainability and expansion, and develop strategies for long-term impact in Sokoto State.
Earlier in a welcome remark, Country Representative of EngenderHealth Nigeria, Dr. Kabiru Atta, represented by Mr. Stanley Osayi, elaborated on Engender Health’s intervention, supported by funding from USAID, in the focused areas of Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics.
In closing remarks on behalf of participants, Chief Medical Director of Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Dr. Hadiza Tori, expressed appreciation for the project’s support on fistula repairs and advocacy efforts leading to the allocation of 200 Million Naira in the 2024 budget for the purchase of fistula repair consumables in the state.
She pledged to follow up on the release of the funds and further ensure the sustainability and upscaling of the project interventions beyond the lifespan of the project.
The meeting resulted in the development of a sustainability plan encompassing all thematic areas of the project intervention in the state, including Fistula, Ambulance system, Quality of Care (QoC), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC), data quality systems DHIS, and NOQA. This plan will undergo costing and be shared with the state before the exit of the project.