The National Population Commission (NPC) has begun the 2024 Nigeria Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) study in Akwa Ibom state to collect essential data on both maternal and child mortality.
The NPC Federal Commissioner, Akwa Ibom, Chief Benedict Ukpong, disclosed this during a press conference in Uyo on Friday.
Ukpong urged residents to cooperate with the VASA team that would be coming to interview them on the causes of death of children under the age of five and for women of reproductive age.
According to him, the survey is a follow-up to the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) that was concluded in May this year.
He said, “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 five and women of reproductive age.
“The study will collect essential data on both maternal and child mortality, focusing on the social and related-health factors that contribute 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.”
He commended the Federal Ministry of Health, the Akwa Ibom state government and all other partners for supporting the study.
In his remarks, the NPC director in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Emmanuel Edem, urged the media to sensitise the people to welcome interviewers.
