Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the distribution of Professional kits to midwives provided by her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative. (RHI)
The flag-off for the North West Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria was held in Kaduna State with the First Ladies of the seven states of the zone in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady said the demands of the health profession go beyond mere skills and compassion, noting that the right tools and infrastructure are also needed.
While commending the efforts and contributions of the midwives and the entire health workforce, Mrs Tinubu said the efforts of health workers continue to be pivotal to attaining the reduction of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
“I am honoured to officially flag off the distribution of 10,000 Professional Kits to Midwives in the North-West States, namely Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, with Kaduna State being the Chief Host today.
“This event is to complement the ongoing Federal Government’s retraining exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. I am informed that 59,570 health workers have already completed their training and that is why the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs, as an incentive to encourage and support the tireless dedication of our Midwives,” said the First Lady.
She appealed to Nigerians to keep encouraging health workers for their tireless efforts, especially the leadership of the sector.
“I commend the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, CON, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, and their entire workforce for their dedicated focus on improving healthcare delivery for our citizens as an important pillar of development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“All six geopolitical zones will receive 10,000 scrubs and 10,000 pairs of crocs, which will be distributed among the states in each zone. The North-Central Zone received its allocation on the 29th of January, 2025 during my three-day working visit to Kwara State. Today, we are in Kaduna to distribute the kits to the North-West Zone. By the grace of God, the next zone to benefit will be the South-South,” she announced.
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Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, said the nation is currently witnessing great transformation in the health sector that is gradually but consciously improving life expectancy and other outcomes in the sector.
He commended the wife of the President for her strong determination and dedication to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, especially through the visible activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, since its inception in 2023.
Closing Gaps
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate assured that the Nigerian Government is doing all it can to close the gap in access to healthcare, especially for pregnant women and mothers.
He noted that with great interventions such as this, the sector was on the path of coming to par with those of advanced countries.
Prof Ali Pate urged the beneficiaries to focus on improving the services they render pointing out that if complications arise during birth they should refer such cases to the appropriate hospitals.
The event was also another opportunity for the First Lady to empower 1000 women petty traders to recapitalise their businesses with a grant of N50,000 each.
She noted that empowering a woman is empowering not just the household, but the nation as a whole
