In a major step toward reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Borno State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated 3,700 Mama kits, pre-packed delivery kits containing essential items for clean and safe childbirth, to pregnant women across 13 high-risk local government areas.
The initiative was formally launched on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Maiduguri by the Chief of UNICEF’s Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, as part of the broader Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMMI).
Busiku highlighted the urgency of the intervention, noting that Borno remains one of Nigeria’s states with the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates. “Every eight minutes, a woman dies during childbirth. These are not just statistics, they represent mothers, daughters, sisters, and future leaders lost to preventable causes,” he said.
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting maternal health and protecting children, stressing that no woman should die while giving birth. “Through MAMMI, we aim to ensure every woman can give birth safely and every newborn has a chance to survive and thrive,” he stated.
The 3,700 Mama kits, according to Busiku, will be distributed across 13 priority LGAs identified for immediate intervention under the MAMMI project.
Calling for collective action, he urged the government, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and development partners to collaborate and expand the reach of the program.
“Every safe birth is a victory, every mother saved is a future secured, and every newborn alive is a promise kept,” Busiku concluded.
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