NPC conducts survey in 12 LGAS to address under 5 mortality rates in Nasarawa

By David Odama

The National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced a survey in 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nasarawa State to address the persistent under-five and maternal mortality rates in the region.

This initiative, under the 2024 Nigeria Verbal and Social Autopsy Study, is being implemented by the NPC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.

It seeks to uncover the root causes of deaths among children under five years and women of reproductive age, with a particular focus on rural communities.

The Federal Commissioner for Benue State, overseeing Nasarawa State, Mrs.

Patricia Kupchi, made this known during a press briefing in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Represented by the Nasarawa State Director of NPC, Mrs. Priscilla Jaggu, Mrs. Kupchi explained that the study identified 28 communities across 12 out of the 13 LGAs of Nasarawa State through a systematic random selection process.

She revealed that trained fieldworkers have been deployed to conduct interviews with family members of deceased children and reproductive mothers. The team will also assess the communities’ access to healthcare services.

Speaking at the event, representatives from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of the survey in devising effective strategies to reduce maternal and child mortality.

Mallam Mohammed Uba, from the Ministry of Women Affairs, and Mr. Michael David, from the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed their ministries’ commitment to ensuring the success of the exercise.

The survey marks a critical step towards achieving better health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Nasarawa State