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Borno state will no longer be known as “Sad” state because the Borno state government yesterday declared free maternal health services for pregnant women. Well, I am thinking that all the women in Borno state should be the happiest people on earth today. It is a well known fact that Borno state has one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the country and also one of the highest infant mortality and under-fives death rates in Nigeria.

Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, who is presently the Commissioner of Health, said that Borno state plans to be in the league of states that records low rate of maternal maternity. She further explained that “The state government vision is to improve maternal health, make pregnancy and motherhood a thing of joy and ensure that all lives are equal and given equal opportunity for survival while achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reduction by 25 percent by 2015. Most of our women died from complication and that is why we are committed to ensure lives are saved,” Kolo disclosed.