Gates-Backed Programme Helps Reduce Kano Maternal Mortality, Saves 507 Mothers

A Gates-backed maternal health programme helped reduce Kano’s maternal mortality rate and successfully treated 507 postpartum haemorrhage cases.

Kano State has recorded a significant decline in maternal mortality, with recent data showing deaths dropping from 1,025 to approximately 937 per 100,000 live births.

The Executive Director of West and Central Africa Health Options (WCAHEALTH), Dr. Ofuoma Omo-Obi, disclosed the figures on Tuesday at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop in Kano reviewing lessons from the E-MOTIVE project.

He said the Accelerating and Expanded Adoption of RMNCH Programme ran from March 2024 to June 2026 and was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and TA Connect.

According to him, Nigeria accounts for about 27 per cent of maternal deaths globally, with Kano recording the highest number in the country due to its population size.

“By population, Kano records the highest number. Within Kano, about 18 local governments account for most of these deaths.

“We took delivery of 14,000 babies in those local governments with no maternal deaths, about 4,500 women were given calibrated drugs, and 507 who progressed to postpartum haemorrhage were treated successfully. Before this program, those 507 would have been deaths. This program saved them,” Dr. Omo-Obi said.

He noted that the intervention trained about 800 healthcare workers and worked directly with 242 skilled birth attendants at primary healthcare centres and secondary health facilities.

“We do not do hit-and-run training in fancy hotels; we take the training to where the problem is. We appoint mentors who build monthly relationships with providers.”

He further explained that mentors often step in during emergencies.

“When they are coaching and see a delivery where the provider needs help, they wear gloves and assist immediately.”

The workshop was attended by representatives of international donor agencies, the Director-General of the Drugs Management Agency, the Director-General of the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, officials of the State Health Insurance Agency, the MNCH Coordinator and the Director of Primary Health Care, who reviewed lessons from the E-MOTIVE innovation.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, outlined three key government commitments behind the reduction in maternal deaths. He said the state had trained frontline health workers on managing labour, pregnancy and post-delivery care, while ensuring primary healthcare centres and hospitals were adequately equipped and supplied.

“We are making the public accept hospital deliveries. In this community, many women see hospital delivery as weakness. But now we are changing that. It’s a form of safety — a safe way of delivery,” Labaran said.