By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Plateau state branch on Tuesday 27th May 2025 Inaugurated 12 champions who will be advocates for maternal and Child Health in Plateau state.
Our correspondent reports that the champions were carefully selected based on their level of influence and the value they will add in advocating for maternal and child health in the state.
The State President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Plateau state branch; Dr Nana Awaya Emeribe who spoke at the occasion said this development was necessitated through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and a consortium of partners with interest in maternal health.
She said “The specific goal of the project is to reduce maternal mortality through the prevention of Post Partum Haemorrhage (PPH) using evidence based and cost-effective interventions.
Notable of these is the calibrated drape for estimation of blood loss during childbirth Emeribe added.
The Commissioner for Health; Dr Nicholas Baamlong who was the chief host of the event congratulated the Medical Women on the laudable venture.
He assured the state government will support the initiative to improve maternal and child health in Plateau state.
He proceeded to decorate the 12 selected champions and issue them with certificates.
The Champions included the Emir of Kanam, The State chairpersons of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) forum, FOMWAN, WOWICAN, JONAPWD, NOA, erudite scholars and professors of Obstetrics/ gynaecologists and Paediatrics.
He charged all champions to be ambassadors of maternal and Child health in the state using their positions of influence to bring the needed change.
These champions will be trained by Pathfinder International on SMART advocacy to enable them to engage with stakeholder at various levels from the community to policymakers.
The state president and project team lead; Dr Nana Awaya Emeribe expressed happiness on this occasion, it is the beginning of an advocacy process in the state.
She reiterated that the champions were carefully selected and mapped based on their influence and interest.
She explained that the project is a consortium of associations which include the African Centre for Excellence and Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), Pathfinder International and the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN).
It is a 4-year project that commenced in 2024 with the aim of reducing maternal mortality through cost effective, evidence-based innovations to reduce Post Partum Haemorrhage in addition to others to reduce child mortality and improve child nutrition.
Goodwill messages were also received from from Pharm Jerry Kim Bot, the Director General of Plateau state Drugs and medical commodity management agency .
The NMA Chairman, Dr Kumtap Yilji who also graced the occasional as the leader of the umbrella body for all medical Doctors and medical associations in the state commended MWAN on their tireless effort to improve maternal and child health in the state,
He said the NMA will keep encouraging the female Doctors to do more.
He appreciated the Hon Commissioner for health, the champions and all present at the occasion.
