Taraba State in Nigeria has identified six local government areas with high cases of maternal and neonatal tetanus, prompting concerns over the need for intensified efforts to eliminate the preventable disease. The affected areas are Gashaka, Gassol, Lau, Ibi, Ussa, and Sardauna. This development was announced at a stakeholders' meeting ahead of the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) campaign in the state.
Taraba State has been classified as the state with the highest risk of maternal and neonatal tetanus in the North-East region of Nigeria. A total of six out of 28 local government areas across five states in the region have been identified as high-risk areas, and they are all located in Taraba State. The MNTE campaign aims to protect pregnant women and newborns from the disease.
The Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukura, disclosed that the MNTE campaign would run from September 28 to October 2. The campaign's focus will be on increasing awareness, strengthening immunization coverage, and improving access to maternal and newborn healthcare services across the state.
Maternal and neonatal tetanus remains a public health concern in Taraba State, particularly in communities with limited access to antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, clean delivery practices, and tetanus vaccination. The campaign will involve health workers, community leaders, and other stakeholders in reaching women of reproductive age, especially those in underserved communities.
The MNTE campaign will not only focus on vaccinating eligible women of childbearing age and newborns against tetanus but also administer vaccinations against diphtheria. Dr. Tukura stressed the need for concerted efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, citing Nigeria's significant burden of maternal deaths globally.
Other stakeholders, including Mohammed Sale, Programme Officer of Chigeri Foundation, and a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), emphasized the need for collaboration with traditional and religious leaders and effective risk communication to ensure the campaign's success. They also highlighted the importance of addressing misinformation and encouraging eligible beneficiaries to participate in the exercise.
The stakeholders' meeting, organized by the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with other partners, was supported by the United Nations Children's Fund. Various stakeholders, including leaders of major religious groups, traditional rulers, women's associations, and private school leaders, pledged their support for the campaign and promised to work with health authorities to ensure its success.
Key points
- Six local government areas in Taraba State have been identified as having high cases of maternal and neonatal tetanus.
- The Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination campaign will run from September 28 to October 2 in Taraba State.
- The campaign aims to protect pregnant women and newborns from maternal and neonatal tetanus through vaccination and improved access to healthcare services.
