In its bid to reduce cases of infant and maternal mortality in Nigeria, MTN Foundation in partnership with JNC International and six state governments have launched the MTNF Maternal Ward Support Project.
Speaking at the media launch of the project in Lagos on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of MTNF, Nonny Ugboma said, the project is aimed at improving maternal and infant healthcare in the country.
“We also believe that the private sector must work with government and the public sector to help reduce maternal mortality and ensure that our mothers and children lead healthy lives. This is why we started the MTNF Maternal Ward Support Project. Through this initiative, we seek to contribute to creating unhindered access to healthcare systems and skilled health professionals for pregnant women in Nigeria.”
According to the 2015 reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day and 99 per cent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries like Nigeria.
Corroborating the report, UNICEF said, everyday, Nigeria loses about 2300 under-five year olds and 145 women of child-bearing age; making the country the second largest contributor to the under-five and maternal mortality in the world.
“What is more alarming is that a sizeable number of these deaths are from preventable causes. While a majority of these cases occur within the first week of life (mainly due to complications during pregnancy and delivery), a sizeable number of maternal deaths also occur due to lack of access to pre-natal care. Therefore, if these soon-to-be mothers had access to proper pre and post-natal care, then their deaths may have been averted,” Ugboma said.
Following thoroughly rigourous selection process, six states-Abia, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Oyo and Sokoto States were selected to benefit under the first phase of the MTNF Maternal Ward Support Project.
The goal, under the first phase, is to renovate and equip maternal wards in at least 24 hospitals across the six states.
“Each maternal ward would be equipped with 20 hospital beds with cardiac rest, 20 standard hospital mattresses, 20 hospital bed pillows, 10 four-way foldable ward screens, 20 metal bedside cupboards, 10 drip stands, 20 hydraulic over-bed tables, 10 height adjustable baby cots, 2 carl novel bed incubators.
“We also hope to sensitise women in these states to visit the maternal wards, so they can get easy access to the right care in a conducive environment.”
She hinted that the MTNF has so far invested over N18 billion into key projects in health, education and economic empowerment.
Speaking on the maternal and infant mortality challenges in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Clare Omatseye said, the death of a woman dying during pregnancy or labour is a tragedy that carries huge burden of grief and pain and a major health problem.
Reeling out statistics of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria, Omatseye said, every 10 minute, a woman dies in Nigeria from childbirth which amounts to 53,000 deaths per year.
“560 women die in 100,000 live births in Nigeria. There are 178 deaths per 100,000 live births in the South West while there are 1500 deaths per 100,000 live births in the North East.”
According to her, the causes of the alarming rate of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria is due to post-partum hemorrhahe (bleeding), infections and obstructed/prolonged delivery, unsafe abortions, hypertensive disorders.
She said, Newborn and children under 5 years old mortality rates in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world as 39 babies die before their 28 days of life everyday; “and such, there is need for care during pregnancy, care during birth and care after birth.”
Highlighting, she said, availability of quality maternal and infant healthcare is a challenge and the increasing cost of healthcare cannot be over-emphasised as many women in the rural areas cannot afford quality healthcare.
To reverse this ugly trend, Omatseye said, “there is need to focus on primary healthcare, revive routine immunisation, promote breast-feeding and encourage pubic private partnership where non-governmental organisations can complement government efforts just like MTN is doing.”
Commending the MTNF initiative, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ahukanna said, his state has been a beneficiary of the mangnanimousity of MTN especiallywith the MTN mobile clinic.
He said, “healthcare is one of the major pillars of Governor Okezie’s administration and we are glad MTN is partnering with us.”
Among others present at the media unveil/launch of MTN Foundation Maternal Ward Support project in Lagos are the Niger State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mustapha Jubril, Senator Abaribe Eyinnanya and Member, House of Representatives, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, representing Zaria, Kaduna state.
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