From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The National Population Commission (NPC) says it will begin the 2024 Verbal And Social Autopsy (VASA) study on Wednesday.
The NPC Federal Commissioner in Ogun State, Abayomi Fasuwa, made this known during the flag off ceremony the programme in Abeokuta.
Fasuwa said the survey, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, is designed to provide insight into the causes of maternal and neonatal deaths in selected communities.
According to him, the study builds up on the previous efforts from 2014 and 2019, which provided valuable information that shaped health policies to reduce preventable deaths.
He added that the study is a follow up to the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted in May.
“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 five and women of reproductive age.
“This information will empower decision-makers to address underlying issues that led to these deaths.
“This will also inform policies aimed at improving maternal and child health in the state and beyond,” he said.
Fasuwa urged traditional and community leaders to encourage members of their communities to welcome interviewers and participate fully in the process.
He also urged the general public to cooperate with the interviewers, adding that every documentation will come with the utmost respect and confidentiality.
Also speaking, the team lead/coordinator of the study, Mrs. Samiat Lawal, hinted that the study would last for 42 days.
Lawal, who is in charge of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo, will lead six others to conduct the study, which will last till November 23 in Ogun.
According to her, 68 identified clusters in 14 local government areas of the state would be visited.
“This is not a new study; we’re only going back to the identified areas—those households that recorded maternal or child mortality since the last demographic survey.
“We’re here to get a verbal autopsy of what happened during the period that led to the incident.
“This is a very sensitive issue because death is not something you want to recount, but this information is very important so that the government can know what happened and plan against a reoccurrence,” Lawal added.
The VASA study will run from November 4 through December 15, 2024.
