By Rita Iliya

The National Population Commission (NPC) has inaugurated the 2024 Nigeria Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) study aimed at tackling maternal and child mortality in Niger State.

Muhammad Dattijo-Usman, Federal Commissioner, NPC in the state announced this during a press conference in Minna on Friday.

Usman, represented by the state Director, Nma Shehu, said the initiative was nationwide in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health with technical support from Inner City Fund (ICF) and John Hopskin University.

He said that the study would provide insights into the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in communities.

“We are here to introduce the 2024 Nigeria Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) study.

“It is a crucial survey designed to provide insights into the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in our communities,” he said.

He added that the study was a follow-up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) that was concluded in May 2024.

He said that the NDHS survey would be used to get information from households to address the biomedical and social causes of death among under-five children and women of reproductive age.

Usman said the study would collect essential data on both maternal and child mortality, focusing on the social and health-related factors that contribute to these tragic losses.

He said the information would empower decision-makers to address the underlying issues that lead to these deaths, and inform policies to improve maternal and child health in the state and beyond.

The commissioner urged traditional and community leaders to lend their voices in support of the study, encouraging their communities to welcome the interviewers and participate fully in the process.

He also urged the public to cooperate with the interviewers, saying they were there to listen, gather, and document their experiences with respect and confidentiality.

He disclosed that the fieldwork for the study would be conducted in selected communities in 20 Local Government Areas of the state between Nov. 4 and Dec. 15.

Also, Mr Domchak Yohana, Team Lead and Supervisor, VASA in Niger, said out of the 25 local government areas in the state, 20 were randomly selected for the VASA study.

He said the local government areas are Chanchaga, Rafi, Shiroro, Borgu, Mokwa, Bida, Kontagora, Mashegu, Lavun and Bosso.

The others are Paikoro, Mariga, Lapai  Katcha, Gbako, Gurara, Tafa, Suleja, Magama and Agaie. (NAN)

Edited by Obinna Unaeze/Ismail Abdulaziz