By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Religious leaders in Kaduna State have said they are determined to support sensitization campaigns that will boost Antenatal Care (ANC) coverage and delivery at the health facilities among women in the state.

Kaduna State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Caleb Maji and Alh Ibrahim Kufena respectively, made the promise during an advocacy visit of a team of Reproductive Maternal Newborn Adolescent Elderly Health (RMNCAEH) Champions at the CAN, Kaduna headquarters on Thursday.

The religious leaders said they will not relent in their support for the campaign that is aimed to improve health indices in the state.

According to the JNI Secretary, the sensitization campaign is in the interest of the people and the communities in general.

He, however, requested that sensitization materials be made available in both English and Hausa languages so that the messages can easily be communicated to the local people.

"We have been doing this and we are committed to continuing because we really need an improvement in all the areas mentioned here", Kufena added.

On his part, the CAN Secretary said sensitizing their people on issues of public concern is part of their mandate and therefore promised that CAN as a group will fully participate in driving the campaign in the interest of her followers.

He said: "We are assuring you today that this message will be delivered to our people and we expect that henceforth they begin to take advantage of the services being provided by government in our various healthcare facilities".

The sensitization is supported by Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL).

Earlier, LISDEL Strategic Management Specialist, Isa Gidado, said the essence of the visit was to appeal to them to help sensitize their followers; especially women on the need to make themselves available for Antenatal Care when they are pregnant and also ensure they deliver at the health facilities instead of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).

•PHOTO: Group photograph of the Kaduna State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Caleb Maji and Alhaji Ibrahim Kufena respectively, with a team of Reproductive Maternal Newborn Adolescent Elderly Health (RMNCAEH) Champions during the advocacy visit at the CAN, Kaduna State Head Quarters in Kaduna