By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigerian) – Social Mobilisers on child spacing in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria have applauded Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, NURHI, a Gates Foundation project, for strategy leading to success of campaign on child birth spacing in the state.
The strategy according to them involves the use of religious leaders, community leaders, media, as well as social mobilisers to enlighten the populace on benefits of child spacing.
They showered the encomium at a peer review meeting of social mobilisers of NURHI from 15 local government areas where NURHI is working.
Deborah Framncis, a social mobilizer from Chikun local government area noted that the strategy has dispelled rumours among women leading to acceptance of child birth spacing.
“It is a thing of joy that women irrespective of their differences have fully embraced child birth spacing and it is really helping them,” she said.
She noted that there was the need to extend the programme to other local government areas, pointing out that NURHI leaders have a listening ear thereby making the programme to be accepted in all nooks and crannies of the local government areas.
Shittu Iliyasu Maigana, a social mobilizer from Soba local government area observed that the success recorded so far in the 15 local government areas was through resilience of those assigned with such responsibilities of ensuring its success.
A consultant in charge of Kauru, Giwa and Igabi local government areas of the state, Sabuwa Yahaya, said people have accepted child birth spacing and its importance.
“I am happy that people have accepted, save lives and bring joy to many families, the rate of mortality has reduced in most communities,” she noted.
The coming together of the social mobilizers from the 15 local government areas every three months provides them the opportunity to learn from their challenges and make amendment.
She therefore advised participants to go back to their respective areas of operation should there be any problem, to find possible solution
Ibrahim Kannah Terri, a consultant in charge of Jema’a, Kachia and Zangon Kataf local government areas noted that the sensitization of people has reduced mortality rate in the state.
He explained that couples are no longer ashamed to discuss issues relating to child birth spacing, noting that its importance is glaring among couples that have embraced it.
Other social mobilizers interviewed expressed delight with the acceptability shown in all the local government areas covered by NURHI programme.
