The Sokoto State Government has mobilised leaders of Ward Development Committees (WDCs) across its 244 wards as part of efforts to tackle maternal and child mortality and improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

The initiative was unveiled during a sensitisation and orientation programme organised for WDC members under the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) Programme and the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) project.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Advocacy and Social Mobilisation at the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dahiru Muhammad Kamaru Gada, said the programme seeks to strengthen community participation in healthcare services and promote better maternal and child health outcomes.

According to him, the Ward Development Committees serve as vital links between healthcare providers and communities, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services remains limited.

Gada explained that committee members would be equipped to educate residents on the importance of antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, routine immunisation, family planning, and other essential health services.

He noted that increasing the number of pregnant women attending health facilities for antenatal care and delivery would significantly reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths in the state.

The workshop brought together WDC chairmen, women leaders and other community stakeholders from the state's 23 local government areas.

Participants received training on community mobilisation, reproductive health, adolescent health, immunisation advocacy and accountability mechanisms aimed at improving service delivery.

Chairman of the Sokoto State Ward Development Committees, Bala Gadanga, described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening community ownership of healthcare programmes.

He said committee members would conduct awareness campaigns, identify pregnant women requiring medical attention, monitor immunisation compliance among children and facilitate referrals to healthcare facilities where necessary.

Health officials expressed optimism that the mobilisation of all 244 ward leaders would boost public confidence in healthcare services, improve immunisation coverage and contribute to reducing maternal and child mortality rates across Sokoto State.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to strengthen primary healthcare services and improve health indicators in one of Nigeria's most vulnerable regions for maternal and child health challenges.