Advertisement
Ask Nigeria Header Logo

Curbing maternal and Infant deaths in Nigeria

Photo of author

By Abundance Adenola

Experts advocate easier and better access to skilled birth attendants.

Stakeholders in Lagos State’s medical sector have dismissed claims that maternal and perinatal deaths result from witchcraft, emphasising the importance of skilled medical attention for pregnant women. At the Community Maternal and Perinatal Health Surveillance and Respiratory Stakeholders Conference held at General Hospital, Gbagada, healthcare professionals urged expectant mothers to seek antenatal care early at accredited medical facilities. They identified delays in accessing skilled care as a major contributor to childbirth-related mortality, stressing the need for improved community awareness and swift medical intervention during complications.

Advertisement

The conference, themed “Mother and Child Survival, Our Priority,” brought together reproductive care experts, heads of primary care centres, traditional birth attendants, and faith-based delivery practitioners. Participants were trained to recognise danger signs in pregnancy, reduce delays, and refer high-risk cases to higher medical facilities. Dr. Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, reiterated that pregnancy-related deaths are influenced by systemic healthcare structures rather than supernatural causes. He called for better collaboration among faith-based practitioners, hospitals, and TBAs to prevent unnecessary fatalities.

Community-driven initiatives can improve maternal health.

Dr. Olusegun Babafemi, Medical Director of General Hospital, Gbagada, described the conference as part of a broader commitment to reducing pregnancy and newborn mortality through community-driven programmes. He highlighted the launch of the hospital’s Mother and Child Survival and Priority Programme, aimed at eliminating preventable deaths and ensuring safe deliveries. Babafemi stressed the role of community participation in identifying medical gaps and implementing effective solutions, noting that coordinated efforts between hospitals and grassroots care providers could significantly improve outcomes for expectant mothers.

Advertisement

Moreover, a key moment at the event was the presentation of Nigeria’s first-ever maternal mortality awareness song, composed by musician Seun Oyetunji and performed by students of Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences. The initiative was part of efforts to raise public consciousness about pregnancy-related medical challenges and encourage expectant mothers to prioritise medical care. With Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate standing at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, stakeholders highlighted the urgency of tackling delays in seeking treatment and strengthening healthcare systems to prevent avoidable losses.

Systemic weaknesses contribute to poor health outcomes.

Advertisement

Despite ongoing efforts to improve maternal well-being, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in reducing pregnancy-related deaths. Many pregnant women, particularly in rural and low-income areas, rely on traditional birth attendants due to cultural beliefs, financial constraints, or limited access to medical facilities. While some TBAs have experience in handling uncomplicated births, their lack of formal medical training can lead to delays in recognising life-threatening complications. Therefore, Dr. Eniayewun’s suggestion of strengthening collaborations between TBAs, faith-based practitioners, and skilled medical professionals is crucial to ensuring that high-risk cases are promptly referred to hospitals.

Beyond healthcare access, infrastructural and systemic weaknesses also contribute to poor reproductive outcomes. Many primary care centres, especially in underserved areas, struggle with inadequate staffing, insufficient medical supplies, and unreliable emergency response systems. Even when women reach hospitals in critical condition, delays in receiving medical attention, due to overcrowding, lack of specialists, or financial barriers, can be fatal. Addressing these issues requires not only increased funding for maternal care but also policy reforms to improve delivery at all levels.

Advertisement

Related Article: Advancing maternal health in Nigeria

Altogether, tackling pregnancy-related deaths demands a comprehensive approach that combines improved medical infrastructure, better community engagement, and stronger policy support. While initiatives like the Mother and Child Survival and Priority Programme in Lagos show promise, long-term progress depends on sustained investments in reproductive care, public awareness campaigns, and the integration of TBAs into a more structured referral system. By bridging gaps in healthcare access and dispelling harmful myths, Nigeria can take meaningful steps towards ensuring that pregnancy and childbirth no longer pose unnecessary risks to women and their babies.


Disclaimer

The content on AskNigeria.com is given for general information only and does not constitute a professional opinion, and users should seek their own legal/professional advice. There is data available online that lists details, facts and further information not listed in this post, please complete your own investigation into these matters and reach your own conclusion. Images included with this information are not real, they are AI generated and are used for decorative purposes only. Our images are not depicting actual events unless otherwise specified. AskNigeria.com accepts no responsibility for losses from any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of content contained in this website and/or other websites which may be linked to this website.

Advertisement