BENIN—Federal Government has inaugurated National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, in Edo State with a view to curbing the rising cases of maternal mortality in the country.

South South Zonal Coordinator of the scheme, Dr. Okposen Bassey, who spoke during the inauguration of a 12-man committee to execute the programmes of the agency in the state, said the idea of the midwifery scheme in the programme was to ensure that all health centres in the rural areas have qualified nurses and health workers.

He said available statistics showed that women and children in rural areas were mostly affected, adding that the target of the agency was to curb what he described as the deadly trend.

He spoke at Ebele Health Centre, Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

Members of the committee, made up of residents, are to partner with midwives at the health centres in the local government areas so as to ensure effective service delivery.

Bassey said the policy was in line with Federal Government’s plan to ensure that each state, local government and ward have a functional primary health care centre, inclusive of four supporting midwives.