Nasarawa State, Ethiopia Forge Cross-Border Health Ties in Maternal, Child Care Push

Nasarawa State recently welcomed a high-level delegation from Population Services International (PSI) Ethiopia for a cross-border learning visit aimed at strengthening maternal and child health systems.

The engagement, which concluded on 10th February 2026, underscores a growing spirit of collaboration among African nations committed to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and advancing primary healthcare outcomes.

The delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, where they were warmly received by Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Health.

Accompanying the PSI Ethiopia team were representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Society for Family Health (SFH). Nasarawa State was selected for the exchange in recognition of its consistent progress and strong performance indicators in maternal and child health—positioning it as a reference point for peer learning across Africa.

During their stay, the delegation visited Primary Healthcare Centres in Shabu and Tudun Kaure, engaging frontline health workers in the Family Planning Unit, Antenatal Care (ANC) section, and Health Management Information System (HMIS) unit. Discussions centred on service delivery models, supply chain management, data utilisation, and low-cost grassroots innovations improving maternal and newborn outcomes.

Dr. Zara Gambo of NPHCDA commended Nasarawa State for its commitment to quality primary healthcare, while the SFH representative described the sessions as robust and highly interactive, noting the openness with which experiences were shared.

Speaking on behalf of the Ethiopian delegation, PSI Team Lead Dr. Rahel said the visit was not merely to observe achievements but to understand practical challenges and homegrown solutions. She acknowledged Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to end preventable neonatal deaths by 2030, noting that while maternal health indicators are improving, gaps remain in child health, nutrition, immunisation, and contraceptive prevalence. She expressed appreciation for the state’s transparency and hospitality, citing valuable lessons in antenatal care delivery, facility-based services, data systems, and supply chain coordination.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary Dr. Alhassan described the engagement as a model of true cross-learning. While Nasarawa State continues to strengthen its health systems, he noted, there is much to learn from Ethiopia’s significant reduction in maternal mortality—now estimated at below 200 per 100,000 live births.

Dr. Alhassan reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding mothers and children, stressing that no woman should die while giving life. He expressed gratitude to the delegation for considering Nigeria and Nasarawa State worthy of a repeat learning visit and assured them of continued collaboration in advancing primary healthcare delivery.