5,000 Muslim worshippers reached with birth spacing messages in Kaduna

No fewer than 5,000 Muslim worshippers have been sensitised on the importance of child birth spacing, maternal healthcare and safe reproductive practices under a community-based awareness initiative in Kaduna State.

The sensitisation, organised by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) in collaboration with the Ummulkhairi Foundation, was held at the Emir of Zazzau's Palace under the Faith and Cultural Champions (FCC) Project.

Speaking at the programme, Chairperson of the Ummulkhairi Foundation, Hajiya Maryam Sani, said the initiative was aimed at improving maternal and child health by promoting informed child birth spacing and increased utilisation of antenatal and postnatal healthcare services.

Sani said the intervention became necessary in view of the persistent burden of maternal and infant mortality, stressing that community education remained critical to correcting misconceptions surrounding child birth spacing and reproductive health.

She urged women to attend antenatal clinics regularly and seek prompt medical attention whenever they experience danger signs in pregnancy such as severe bleeding, persistent headaches, dizziness and eclampsia.

According to her, the interactive session provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions and obtain accurate information on modern child birth spacing methods and other maternal health services.

Also speaking, the Imam of the Zaria City Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Lamido, commended the organisers for engaging religious and traditional leaders in promoting maternal health.

Lamido said Islam supports responsible child birth spacing where it safeguards the health and wellbeing of mothers and children, adding that religious leaders would continue to enlighten their congregations on the importance of healthy family practices.

He called on governments and development partners to sustain community-based awareness campaigns, especially in underserved communities where preventable pregnancy-related complications continue to claim lives.

The Faith and Cultural Champions Project leverages the influence of religious and traditional leaders to promote positive behavioural change on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.

The project targets young married couples, adolescents, husbands, mothers-in-law, traditional rulers and faith leaders to encourage informed decision-making on child birth spacing and improved family health outcomes.

The sensitisation also held in Aba, Wuchichiri ward, Zaria local government and Chikun Local Government.