USAID to support maternal, newborn healthcare in Cross River with $18m

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged to sponsor the Saving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL) Initiative with $18 million through the USG initiative.

USAID pledged its support  for SMGL at its just concluded global team-building meeting in Cross River state.

USG initiative is a public-private partnership that addresses the three primary delays associated with maternal and newborn health: the delay in seeking services, the delay in reaching care, and the delay in receiving high-quality care at a health facility.

The meeting, organised by the Cross River government in partnership with USAID, brought together national, regional partners and key stakeholders who shared updates of how the initiative had progressed in Uganda and Zambia.

They also discussed the guide inputs and how it would expand in Nigeria.

John Bray, the U.S. consul general; Aler Grubbs, USAID acting mission director and Benedict Ayade, Cross River governor, were present at the opening ceremony.

“Health challenges in Nigeria are not always a result of limited access to facilities, but access to enough skilled professionals and quality services within those facilities. Saving Mothers, Giving Life Initiative is helping reduce both maternal and neonatal mortality,” said Bray.

“We will continue to support and encourage the Cross River State Government in its efforts as we look to expanding the program into other areas in Nigeria.”