By Catherine Egwuom
A gynaecologist, Dr Qudus Lawal, has urged the government to expand ongoing healthcare programmes and strengthen primary healthcare to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Lawal, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
Maternal mortality refers to deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth.
Lawal said maternal mortality was driven by direct, indirect and background factors, including postpartum haemorrhage, obstructed labour, hypertensive disorders, coagulopathy and infections.
“Indirect causes include malaria and other conditions worsened by pregnancy, while poor education, nutrition and women’s empowerment also increase maternal health risks,” he said.
The gynaecologist identified three major delays contributing to maternal deaths, including delays in deciding to seek care, transportation challenges and delays within health facilities.
Lawal said improving women’s education and empowerment could encourage early healthcare-seeking behaviour, while efficient transportation and referral systems would facilitate access to appropriate emergency care.
He commended the government’s ongoing reforms, including interventions targeting high-burden local government areas, saying they had contributed to a 17 per cent reduction in maternal mortality.
However, Lawal said the progress should encourage more action, stressing the need to expand the programmes geographically and extend them to low-burden and rural areas.
He called for expansion of Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) services across all levels of healthcare, supported by effective referral and transportation systems.
Lawal urged the government to strengthen primary healthcare facilities and improve training for healthcare providers, stressing that many women depended on primary healthcare centres.
He said the measures were necessary to accelerate progress toward reducing maternal mortality and ensure women do not die from preventable pregnancy-related complications.
NAN reports that Nigeria continues to face one of the world’s highest maternal mortality burdens, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of global maternal deaths.
Data from the World Health Organisation showed the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria stands at 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the global target of 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
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