By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to prioritise maternal and child health to reduce deaths among mothers and children.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Anas-Ibrahim, said this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking on the state of healthcare, maternal and child health in the country.
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the most common direct causes of maternal injury and death are excessive blood loss, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour, as well as indirect causes such as anaemia, malaria, and heart disease.
The global health body noted that most maternal deaths are preventable with timely management by a skilled health professional working in a supportive environment.
Globally, in 2021, 5.0 million children under five years of age died, according to UNICEF.
Infectious diseases, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria, remain a leading cause of under-five deaths, along with preterm birth and intrapartum-related complications.
Dr Salma Anas said, Nigeria makes up to two per cent of the world’s population but accounts for 14 per cent of the global maternal death burden.
She, however, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to tackling maternal and child deaths.
“We want to see that no woman dies as a result of pregnancy or childbirth. Women have the right to choices available to them to decide the timing of their pregnancies and the number of children they want to have and to have access to immunisation and nutrition for their children so we have children that are very intelligent that will lead the country in the future.
“Lives of mothers are still confronted with a lot of challenges, especially when it comes to pregnancies and childbirth, and care of children under five remains a challenge.
“But I want to state here that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, he is committed to tackling the issue of maternal death and morbidity in Nigeria.
“He has also prioritised maternal and child health in the delivery of healthcare because, without access to healthcare for women, children, and adolescents, we can’t realise universal health coverage,” she said.
The special adviser reiterated that no woman should die as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or post-delivery.
“Two days ago, the President said he is going to build the capacity of health workers to ensure quality of care. We are committed to improving the health of women and children and reducing maternal and child death to the barest minimum,” she stated.
