THE National Population Commission, NPC, says the Verbal and Social Autopsy, VASA, study embarked upon by the Commission would help in addressing the issues of maternal, neonatal and child mortality in the country. 

The NPC Federal Commissioner for Benue State, Mrs. Patricia Kpuchi who made this known while addressing newsmen in Makurdi explained that VASA “is a crucial survey designed to provide insights into the causes of under five and maternal deaths in our communities.”

Represented by the Head, Human Resource and Management, Onah Adeyi, the Federal Commissioner said the study would also have a lasting positive impact on the well-being of mothers and children across Benue State and the entire country.

Mrs. Kpuchi said the NPC was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health in implementing VASA which was built on previous efforts from 2014 to 2019 that provided valuable information which helped shape health policies and interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths.

Acccording to her, the study “is a follow up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS,” which was concluded in May 2024 that sought to gather information from households to help government understand and plan to address the biomedical and social causes of deaths of children under age five and women of reproductive age.

She said “this study will collect essential data like types of meals, water, education level, immunization and medication on both maternal and child mortality, focusing on the social and health – related factors that contribute to these tragic losses.

“The information will empower decision-makers to address the underlying issues that lead to these deaths and ultimately, inform policies aimed at improving maternal and Child health in the State and beyond.

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“Our trained data collectors will visit households between November 4 and December 15, 2024 to conduct interviews with family members, gathering information that will help us understand the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths.

“We urge the public to cooperate with our interviewers and participate actively by sharing the important details that will help us address the issues of maternal and child health.”