By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – The National Population Commission, NPC, has commenced the Nigeria Verbal and Social Autopsy, VASA study to gain insights into the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in Plateau State.

The exercise will take place in 34 clusters across 16 out of the 17 local government areas in the State, and the outcome is to empower decision-makers to make informed policies to improve maternal and children health in the State.

Addressing journalists in Jos on Tuesday, the Federal Commissioner of NPC in the State, Mrs. Mary Afan, represented by the State Director of NPC, Mrs. Felicia Mwolpun said the exercise is done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the aim is to build on the efforts of the past years that provided information that shaped health policies and interventions to reduce preventable deaths.

Her words, “It is my honour to address you as we launch an important health initiative that will have a lasting impact on the well-being of mothers and children. The VASA study is a crucial survey designed to provide insights into the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in our communities.

“This round of VASA study builds on previous efforts from 2014 and 2019, which provided valuable information that helped shape health policies and interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths. The study is a follow-up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS, that was concluded in May this year.

“We will be going back to the NDHS households to ask for information that will help the government understand and plan to address the biomedical and social causes of death of children under age 5 and for women of reproductive age.

“In Plateau state, we have benefited from the strong collaboration between the NPC, Federal Ministry of Health, and our valued State partners to successfully implement health-related projects in the past, and we are confident that this collaboration will once again ensure success for the VASA study.”

She further explained, “This study will collect essential data on both maternal and child mortality, focusing on the social and health-related factors that contribute to these tragic losses. This information will empower decision-makers to address the underlying issues that lead to these deaths and will ultimately inform policies aimed at improving maternal and child health in the State and beyond.

“Fieldwork for this study will be conducted in selected communities throughout the State between 4th November to 15th December 2024. Our trained data collectors will visit households to conduct interviews with family members, gathering information that will help us understand the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths. This sensitive but essential process requires the cooperation and support of every individual and community.”

She urged the traditional, religious, and community leaders to lend their support, mobilize, and facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise by encouraging their communities to welcome the interviewers and participate fully in the process and urged the public to cooperate with the interviewers as the collaboration and support of every resident of the State is crucial for the VASA study.

Also, the VASA State Coordinator, Dr. Patience Oche, noted that a woman shouldn’t die while giving birth and the future of children must be protected, hence the need for every stakeholder to support the process for a successful exercise.