El-Rufai grants 6-months maternity leave to Kaduna female civil servants

After several attempts by civil society organizations working in
the health sector in Kaduna State to press for six months maternity
leave for female civil servants, Governor Nasir El-Rufai on
Wednesday announced the decision of his administration to make it a
reality.

El-Rufai, who stated this during his second-term inauguration
speech at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, said, the decision was
to promote mother-child care and reduce maternal and new-born
mortality in the state.

According to him, “in the health sector, the focus on
strengthening and expanding primary care will continue.

“It is the best way to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and
bring basic care closer to the people.

“Our commitment to universal health coverage will continue.
Therefore, we shall accelerate the implementation of the
Contributory Health Insurance Scheme as a priority programme.

“We will complete the supply chain transformation programme in
the health sector that has improved the availability and reduced
the prices of drugs in our health facilities; we will also
emphasise routine immunisation to reduce the impact of
vaccine-preventable diseases on our children.

“I am pleased to announce that just yesterday, our State
Executive Council approved six-months maternity leave for our
female public servants.

“This encourages the healthy development of infants through
prolonged breastfeeding, among other benefits.

“Mothers in our state are also reminded that children up to the
age of five get free, regular medical check-ups in public
hospitals. Please take advantage of this,” he said.

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