The National Population Commission (NPC) has launched the 2024 verbal and data social autopsy (VASA) study which is a crucial survey designed to provide insights into the causes of under-five and maternal deaths in various communities.
Briefing the media at the NPC State headquarters, Awka, the Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke represented by the State Director of the Commission, Dr. Kingsley Okereke, said that the commission in collaboration with the federal ministry of Health is implementing the nationwide study which builds on previous efforts from 2014 and 2019, which provided valuable information that helps to shape health policies and interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths.
He explained that the study is a follow-up to the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey(NDHS), that was conducted in May this year, and that the commission will be going back to the NDHS households to ask for information that will help the government to understand and plan to address the biomedical and social causes of death of children under age five and women of reproductive age.
According to Mr. Ezeoke, fieldwork for the study will be conducted in selected communities throughout Anambra between 4th November to 15th December 2024, and that their data collectors will visit households to conduct interviews with family members, gathering information that help them understand the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths, and that the process requires the cooperation and support of every individual and community in 17 selected local government areas in Anambra State.
The Federal Commissioner appreciated their partners, Anambra State Government, for their unwavering support and commitment to the study, urging the media to help them in disseminating the information to the public.
The exercise will not take place in Ayamelum, Nnewi South, Onitsha North and Orumba South Local Goverment Areas.
