Every year, Nigeria loses an estimate of 59,000 women to predictable and easily prevented deaths. Each week, 1,131 women die in childbirth. In the last seven days, 1,131 Nigerian families have lost mothers, friends, sisters and daughters to pregnancy. Every week, more children are forced to grow up without mothers, and are subjected to the difficulties that entails. These children are more likely to die before their fifth birthday.
Miffed by the refusal of some government agencies to effectively distribute drugs to health centres, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has warned his appointees against playing politics with what has direct bearing with the lives of the people.
The governor in continuation of his midterm assessment tour yesterday to Baddegi in Katcha local government area , expressed dissatisfaction with what he met on ground at Hajiya Mumbai Aliyu maternal and child health center in the town.
The family of Ibrahim Ajayi (42) and Fatima Ajayi (32) from Danko District of Danko Wasagu local government area of Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State could not believe that their new baby girl will be born with an amputated hand.
But it is a reality that happened not by the natural cause in giving birth but by alleged unprofessional conduct of a principal medical officer, Dr. Jamilu Muhammad, who amputated the hand of a baby girl in the process of carrying out surgery.
President of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Professor Oladapo Ladipo says the number of women dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications every year in Nigeria is "one of the greatest injustices of our time."
"It is shameful that Nigeria still contributes significantly to global maternal death figure. We estimate that we are losing about 58,000 mothers annually, through pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum complications," Ladipo said.
The attitude of some husbands in Bauchi state constituted a threat to the well-being of their pregnant wives more than other challenges, the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHCDA), Mr Adamu Gamawa said on Tuesday.
Briefing newsmen in Bauchi on the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), Gamawa said such husbands had prevented their pregnant wives from attending antenatal clinics (ANC).
After losing her fourth child during delivery at the house of her regular traditional birth attendant (TBA), 42 year–old Kemi Ariyo contracted spiritualists to get to the root of her problems. “I was widely accused to be a witch as a result of the demise of my babies,” Kemi said. “So I approached the spiritualists who pray for pregnant women and see to the delivery of their babies”.
Ebonyi State government yesterday said it was targeting a total of 557,000 children, 139,000 pregnant women and 613, 000 women of child bearing age for the state’s immunization exercise.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike stated this at Ugbodo, the headquarters of Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi State during the flag-off of second round of maternal/ newborn child health week in the state.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has reaffirmed the Federal Governmt’s commitment towards achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage in Nigeria.
A statement issued to LEADERSHIP, on Thursday, revealed that the Minister gave the assurance during a Road Show Sensitization Campaign to mark the World Universal Healthcare Coverage Day at the Kuchigoro Community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Adewole further encouraged the people of the community to support the government to achieve quality health care across the country.
Mindful of the clock ticking down to a Trump presidency, the Obama administration issued a final rule on Wednesday to bar states from withholding federal family-planning funds from Planned Parenthood affiliates and other health clinics that provide abortions. The measure takes effect two days before the Jan. 20 inauguration of Donald Trump.
IN recognition of the important role that they play in the provision of healthcare, especially at the grassroots, Traditional Birth Attendants, TBAs, have been recognised as indispensable to healthcare delivery in the country.
A past Chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi who stated this position, said the State government should put in place capacity building programmes to boost the confidence of TBAs to safely take deliveries and make quick referrals in case of emergency.
