‘Nigeria Has Highest Maternal Mortality Rate in the World’

Segun James

As more women reportedly die from pregnancy-related illnesses in Nigeria more than any other country in the world, a non-governmental organisation, Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective (MRHRC), has expressed dismay over the high mortality rate, saying with an annual 62,000 deaths, the trend must change.

The Founder of MRHRC, Prof Abosede Afolabi, who disclosed the plan to embarked on a month-long crusade tagged: ‘#WeMenForHer Movement’, said it will encompass a spectrum of activities designed to galvanise awareness and inspire solutions to Nigeria’s escalating maternal health crisis, which will commence in Lagos.

The founder, who is a renowned gynecologist, made this known virtually yesterday at a press conference held at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, lamenting the high mortality recorded nationwide concerning pregnant women as a result of poor access to quality health services, especially in rural communities.

According to the group, the movement’s core objective is to champion the MamaBase project, a visionary intervention designed to safeguard and empower expectant mothers throughout their maternal journey, disclosing that “a dedicated corps of community health workers would be deployed to provide unwavering support to pregnant women within their communities, ensuring that they receive essential antenatal care and give birth under the watchful eye of skilled healthcare providers.

 “The scale of this endeavour is nothing with plans to enroll an initial 5,000 women into the MamaBase Intervention. Remarkably, 250 expectant mothers have already found solace in this programme, and some have celebrated safe deliveries.

“The #WeMenForHer campaign sets its sights on a monumental goal, raising a formidable N100 million with each woman benefiting from a dedicated allocation of N20,000 for comprehensive maternal care.

“The WeMenForHer campaign stands as a testament to the power of unity in the quest for improved maternal health, transcending gender boundaries to pave for a healthier future for Nigerian mothers.”

A representative of MRHRC, Dr. Mobolanle Balogun, said: “The burden of maternal health in Nigeria is amazing despite the potential. Unfortunately, the number of maternal deaths is abysmal.

“According to statistics, Nigeria accounts for 30 percent of maternal deaths globally, and the world could not ignore such damning challenge.”

She explained that some of the factors responsible for the high maternal mortality include haemorrhage, especially after delivery, obstruction during labour, infections, particularly after delivery.

Afolabi noted that other complication that might lead to maternal deaths is high blood pressure.

She said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends ante-natal healthcare to forestall maternal deaths, but noted that the quality of healthcare in the country is pathetic.

The founder noted that some pregnant women went as far as rejecting skilled care due to cultural influences.

She stated that poverty is also a major factor militating against ante-natal care, saying about 70 percent of Nigerians live below the poverty line.

In her submission, Ms. Funke Iroko, also from MRHRC, said the organisation has a vision to ensure that women have access to quality health care.

She stated that the group in partnership with other organisations through research, advocacy and other intervention is poised to address the challenge of healthcare of pregnant women in the country.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Lagos State chapter, Prof. Abidoye Badegesin, said maternal deaths in the country are a big burden, adding: “Developing countries usually have a single digit but in Nigeria we are having three digits and above.”