John Shiklam in Kaduna
A Kaduna-based non-governmental organisation, Pregnancy Support Foundation (PSF), has lamented the increasing rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Speaking during a medical outreach for pregnant women in the Mando area of Kaduna metropolis, the founder of the NGO, Mrs. Adesua Oni, noted that Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world.
She attributed the situation to poverty, illiteracy and lack of access to basic health facilities, calling on governments at all levels to make basic healthcare facilities functional and accessible to rural communities.
Oni said her organisation has been in the forefront for the campaign against maternal mortality through its ‘Safe Motherhood Medical Outreaches’ programme in communities with low socio-economic status.
According to her, “The challenges facing pregnant women, especially, those in rural communities include, poverty, illiteracy and deep seated ignorance about their health and lack of access to health facilities.
“Lack of support for pregnant women by their husbands, family, in addition to cultural and religious beliefs among others are not helping matters.”
Oni called on government and religious groups to sensitise women in rural communities about health issues as it concerns pregnancy.
She also called on governments at all levels to encourage health professionals at the grassroots to be more committed by ensuring that they are better remunerated.
The medical outreach was attended by 160 women of child bearing age some community leaders.
The outreach focused on importance of education, counselling on safe motherhood, importance of facility-based delivery, appropriate diet during pregnancy, medical checkups and antenatal care attendance, among others.
Delivery packs were also distributed to all the pregnant women who attended the programme.
Oni, who disclosed that the outreach, was organised in partnership with Information Technologies Hub and Cynosure, commended the company for its contribution and appealed for more of such partnership with government, corporate bodies as well as meaning individuals so as to help address challenges facing less privilege women.
