**Saving Lives: Kwara State Takes a Giant Leap in Maternal and Child Care** In a bold move to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths in Ilorin, Kwara State, the Ministry of Health has launched a groundbreaking training programme for data collectors. Dubbed the Safer Birth Bundle of Care, this initiative is a collaborative effort between the ministry, the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health Project, and Laerdal Global Health. The goal is to equip data collectors with the skills and knowledge needed to accurately capture and report maternal and newborn health data. According to Commissioner for Health, Amina Ahmed El-Imam, this programme marks a significant milestone in the state's efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. She emphasized that the success of the Safer Birth Bundle of Care will be driven by credible and measurable data, which will help identify areas of improvement and inform evidence-based interventions. "We must rely on numbers, not assumptions," she said. "It's time to start this journey towards safer childbirth, and with dedication and openness, we can make a difference." The training, which began on Thursday and will run for three days, has been hailed as a vital step towards strengthening health data systems and improving maternal and newborn outcomes. Obinna Orjingene, Country Director of Laerdal Global Health, commended the Kwara State Government for prioritizing maternal and child healthcare, noting that the initiative goes beyond documentation to focus on safeguarding mothers and newborns through improved monitoring and service delivery. The partnership with UNICEF has also been praised, with a representative from the organization describing the training as crucial to accelerating progress towards ending preventable maternal and child mortality in Kwara State. "Strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions are key to achieving our goals," she said. "We applaud the state government's commitment to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes." As Kwara State takes this giant leap towards safer childbirth, it's clear that the journey ahead will be long and winding. However, with dedication, openness, and a commitment to evidence-based interventions, the state can make significant strides in reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.