Niger State Government has deployed Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) equipment, medical commodities, and consumables worth N100 million to Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida, and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, as part of efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, disclosed this on Monday during the official inauguration of the equipment and medical supplies at Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida.
Dr. Bagana explained that the intervention was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the two strategic health facilities to provide timely and effective emergency care for pregnant women and newborns, particularly in cases involving obstetric haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, obstructed labour, sepsis, and other complications that may require emergency Caesarean sections.
He said the upgrade was strategically targeted at improving access to life-saving maternal and newborn services for a combined catchment population of nearly two million people, including an estimated 400,000 women of reproductive age.
“For us in Niger State, no mother should lose her life while bringing forth new life.
“To make this standard of care a reality, these vital upgrades have been targeted at two strategic anchor facilities: Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.
“These facilities do not operate in isolation; they serve as a critical clinical safety net for an expansive catchment area. Together, they anchor the health security of communities across Bida, Agaie, Katcha, Gbako, Edati, Lavun, and other adjoining areas,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the equipment, commodities, and consumables were procured through a strategic partnership between the Niger State Government and the Federal Government. He described the intervention as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to tackle preventable maternal and newborn mortality.
He noted that the investment aligns with the broader health-sector agenda of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, particularly the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving service delivery, and ensuring that residents have access to quality healthcare whenever they need it.
Dr. Bagana added that strengthening the two facilities would help reduce delays in referrals and improve access to timely emergency obstetric and newborn services, where prompt medical intervention can make the difference between life and death.
Inaugurating the equipment, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, commended the state and federal governments for the intervention.
The Etsu Nupe said the investment would significantly enhance healthcare delivery in Bida and surrounding communities, noting that improved emergency obstetric and newborn services would contribute to better health outcomes for women and children.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam; the Head of Hospital Services at Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Dr. Mohammed Imam; and the Executive Chairman of Bida Local Government Council, Muhammad Usman Manko, commended the initiative.
They expressed optimism that the intervention would strengthen the clinical safety net across Bida and neighbouring local government areas, while ensuring that women and newborns receive timely, quality, and life-saving care during emergencies.
Niger State Government, through the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed its commitment to sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, and human capacity as part of efforts to build a resilient health system and advance the New Niger Agenda.
