Health

THE Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal, Health (Rotary-RMCH) launched initiatives to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare in Nigeria.

The goal of the initiatives is to reduce the country’s maternal and neonatal mortality by 25 per cent.

Mr Toyosi Adebambo, the Programme Manager of Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria, Rotary-RMCH,  made this known during a journalists’ workshop held on Tuesday in Abuja as part of a three-year programme titled “Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria.”

Adebambo quoted World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics indicating that approximately 295,000 women worldwide die each year from pregnancy and childbirth complications, with majority occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

He explained that around 5.2 million children under the age of five die annually, with Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing the highest rates.

“Neonatal deaths alone account for 47 per cent of the deaths,” he stated, stressing the critical need for targeted interventions in the regions.

He added that “Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with an estimated 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

“This stark statistic underscores the urgency of the Rotary group’s initiatives to train healthcare workers and journalists on respectful maternal and child care and to provide essential medical supplies.”

He said that the project seeks to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.

Mrs Memuna Mikail, the Reproductive Health Coordinator, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, stressed the importance of investing in prenatal, antenatal and postnatal care to reduce mortality rates.

Mikail said comprehensive maternal healthcare services are essential to improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.

While advocating for family planning, she said it is a crucial strategy to prevent poverty and improve overall health outcomes.

Nma Ogbonna, the Head of Health Promotion Division, Federal Ministry of Health, also stressed the need to empower women on their health rights and responsibilities for better decision-making.

She said “empowering women to make informed decisions support better health outcomes for mothers and children.”

She called for community mobilisation and participation in health programmes to ensure widespread impact.

Dr Samuel Oyeniyi, the Director, Safe Motherhood Division at the Family Health Department, FMoH, encouraged stakeholders to maintain continuous support toward combating maternal and neonatal mortality.

Oyeniyi praised the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal, Health (Rotary-RMCH) for the contributions to this effort.

He pledged Rotary’s role in reducing mortality rates in the country.(NAN)

2nd July, 2024.

C.E.

Tags: neonatal mortality Rotary Rotary Action Group