The US Consul General, John Bray, says the US will continue to support, encourage and expand its Saving Mothers, Giving Life initiative aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria.

A statement by the information unit of the US Embassy on Monday in Abuja quoted Bray as saying this at the SMGL global team-building meeting in Calabar, Cross River State.

The meeting was organised by the Cross River State Government in partnership with United States Agency for International Development.

Bray said: “Health challenges in Nigeria are not always a result of limited access to facilities, but access to enough skilled professionals and quality services within those facilities.

“Saving Mothers, Giving Life Initiative is helping reduce both maternal and neonatal mortality.

“We will continue to support and encourage the Cross River Government in its efforts as we look to expanding the programme into other areas in Nigeria.”

According to Bray, the project is a US Government initiative for a period of five years at a cost of $18 million.

Bray said that SMGL was a public-private partnership aimed at addressing three primary delays associated with maternal and newborn health.

He said: “The delays are in seeking services, in reaching care and in receiving high-quality care at a health facility.

“A woman dying from pregnancy and childbirth related complications is a major challenge in Africa and reducing maternal mortality has become a global priority.”

The envoy said “the probability of a maternal death occurring is 1:13 in Nigeria”.
 
Read more at https://theeagleonline.com.ng/us-to-expand-18m-saving-mothers-giving-lif...