MATERNAL MORTALITY AND NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT
“We have not placed the issue of women and children at the center of our heart. There is no attention given to them despite the fact that they are asset to us. With out their good health, we don’t have future. The issues of mother and child are linked and we are failing to scale up high impact contribution that can save lives of mothers and children.”
- Dr. Tunde Adegboyega
Consultant WHO
It was on the evening of Sunday 8th of January 2009, while reading some past newspapers; I came across a report on maternal mortality on thisday newspaper of July 7th 2008, written by Taiwo Olawole. The report came with frightening and very disturbing figures concerning the rate of maternal death in the country which made me to voice out my mind concerning the subject matter and also offer some advises to both the state and federal government. The report revealed that Nigeria is the second highest in the world in terms of maternal death with 59,000, and India is occupying the first position with 117,000 deaths annually. The reporter went on to argue that Nigeria shouldn’t supposed to be ranked second instead should be ranked first, because he argued that the whole of Nigeria’s population constitute only 10% of India’s population. He further argued and I quote “India actually improved between 2000 and 2005. In 2000, India’s maternal deaths were 136,000. It was this figure that dropped to 117,000 in 2005. On the other hand, Nigeria’s 37,000 deaths in 2000 rose to 59,000 in 2005! So, place within the right context, Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is perhaps the most dangerously high in the world.” Looking at the argument of the reporter, I think he is absolutely right and Nigeria should be ranked first not second.
After reading the report, the questions that come to my mind were: where are the policy makers? Did they really know what is happening? How about the promises they made while campaigning I mean the seven point agenda? Or did any of their relatives fall within the people that are dying annually? My answer to these questions are: they knew what is happening, only though, they have forgotten all the promises they made while campaigning, and perhaps I don’t think their relatives are dying of maternal problems. Though the report said states like Kano has already taken a step and went on to argue that “Interestingly, the Kano state free antenatal care which is now a model for some states, is not affecting the quality of services at government Hospitals.” The reporter also said “after the seemingly success story of kano state in reducing maternal and child mortality, some states have come to emulate the concept.” States like Nassarawa, Borno, Enugu, Rivers, Ebonyi and recently Kaduna have introduced various degrees of free medical facilities for pregnant women as well as for children which is a step on a right direction, even though there are complains of inadequate medical facilities, thanks to their effort and hope they will continue to do more so as to ensure that their efforts are sustained. I am also calling the attention of other states to copy from their brothers because the situation is very disturbing and needs urgent attention. Now that states has started making impact by providing antenatal care, Federal government should also do the same and provide free medical treatment for pregnant women and children, and to also collaborate with states, civil society organizations, donor agencies, so as to reversed the trend. Failure to do that will instead worsen the situation. For me, neglecting women and children is the greatest mistake any society can make, because they are our future and we have no option other than to take good care of them, and I am sure you knew that. Please am appealing to you lets all stand up and do some thing, remember united we stand divided we fall.
NURA IRO MA’AJI
SYAHD, KANO STATE, NIGERIA
nuramaaji@gmail.com
2348032601697
“We have not placed the issue of women and children at the center of our heart. There is no attention given to them despite the fact that they are asset to us. With out their good health, we don’t have future. The issues of mother and child are linked and we are failing to scale up high impact contribution that can save lives of mothers and children.”
- Dr. Tunde Adegboyega
Consultant WHO
It was on the evening of Sunday 8th of January 2009, while reading some past newspapers; I came across a report on maternal mortality on thisday newspaper of July 7th 2008, written by Taiwo Olawole. The report came with frightening and very disturbing figures concerning the rate of maternal death in the country which made me to voice out my mind concerning the subject matter and also offer some advises to both the state and federal government. The report revealed that Nigeria is the second highest in the world in terms of maternal death with 59,000, and India is occupying the first position with 117,000 deaths annually. The reporter went on to argue that Nigeria shouldn’t supposed to be ranked second instead should be ranked first, because he argued that the whole of Nigeria’s population constitute only 10% of India’s population. He further argued and I quote “India actually improved between 2000 and 2005. In 2000, India’s maternal deaths were 136,000. It was this figure that dropped to 117,000 in 2005. On the other hand, Nigeria’s 37,000 deaths in 2000 rose to 59,000 in 2005! So, place within the right context, Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is perhaps the most dangerously high in the world.” Looking at the argument of the reporter, I think he is absolutely right and Nigeria should be ranked first not second.
After reading the report, the questions that come to my mind were: where are the policy makers? Did they really know what is happening? How about the promises they made while campaigning I mean the seven point agenda? Or did any of their relatives fall within the people that are dying annually? My answer to these questions are: they knew what is happening, only though, they have forgotten all the promises they made while campaigning, and perhaps I don’t think their relatives are dying of maternal problems. Though the report said states like Kano has already taken a step and went on to argue that “Interestingly, the Kano state free antenatal care which is now a model for some states, is not affecting the quality of services at government Hospitals.” The reporter also said “after the seemingly success story of kano state in reducing maternal and child mortality, some states have come to emulate the concept.” States like Nassarawa, Borno, Enugu, Rivers, Ebonyi and recently Kaduna have introduced various degrees of free medical facilities for pregnant women as well as for children which is a step on a right direction, even though there are complains of inadequate medical facilities, thanks to their effort and hope they will continue to do more so as to ensure that their efforts are sustained. I am also calling the attention of other states to copy from their brothers because the situation is very disturbing and needs urgent attention. Now that states has started making impact by providing antenatal care, Federal government should also do the same and provide free medical treatment for pregnant women and children, and to also collaborate with states, civil society organizations, donor agencies, so as to reversed the trend. Failure to do that will instead worsen the situation. For me, neglecting women and children is the greatest mistake any society can make, because they are our future and we have no option other than to take good care of them, and I am sure you knew that. Please am appealing to you lets all stand up and do some thing, remember united we stand divided we fall.
NURA IRO MA’AJI
SYAHD, KANO STATE, NIGERIA
nuramaaji@gmail.com
2348032601697
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