DEPOWA Inaugurates Maternity Hospital at NDA Barracks to Reduce Maternal and Child Mortality

To address the high rate of maternal and child deaths within barracks, the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) has inaugurated a maternity hospital at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State.

The facility, which was the brainchild of former DEPOWA President Victoria Irabor, was completed and furnished by her successor, Mrs Oghogho Musa.

The maternity healthcare facility, located at the Nigerian Defence Academy Hospital in Ribadu, Cantonment, aims to improve access to quality healthcare for women living within the barracks.

The project is a demonstration of the association’s commitment to improving maternity and child health outcomes, as well as reducing the maternal and child mortality rates.

At the commissioning ceremony, Mrs Musa emphasized the need for healthcare facilities like the maternity center, as statistics show that much work is needed to safeguard the lives of women and their babies.

The facility is expected to benefit not only women and children within the barracks but also soldiers and others in the immediate environment.

Major General John Ochai, the Commandant of the NDA, praised the initiative, stating that it would help strengthen the health facility within the barracks and provide affordable and quality healthcare services to the community.

He also commended the DEPOWA President for her leadership in sourcing the funds to complete the project, noting that partnerships like this are essential in achieving government responsibilities.

Dr Jamoh Yusuf, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, also lauded the project, stating that the facility would significantly reduce the maternal and child mortality rate in the community.

The inauguration of the maternity hospital at the NDA barracks marks an essential step towards improving healthcare for women and children living in military and police barracks across Nigeria.