The Federal Government on Monday unveiled guidelines on safe motherhood, targeting at least seven million pregnant women, and six million newborn births annually.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate while speaking at the unveiling ceremony said achieving safe motherhood in Nigeria is possible.
Prof Pate said the guidelines titled “the Labour Care Guide and the Guidelines for Community Use of Misoprostol” will guide the country towards achieving its objectives.
He said safe motherhood can be achieved when every pregnant woman receives all the pillars of care which include full antenatal care, skilled and facility-based delivery amongst others.
“Safe motherhood can be achieved when every pregnant woman receives all the pillars of safe motherhood, full antenatal care, skilled and facility-based delivery, integrated postnatal care, including family planning, especially postpartum family planning and post-abortion family planning dealing with all the underlying causes of maternal mortality, and ensuring that every newborn is protected and supported to thrive,” he said.
He said Nigeria has a large burden of preventable maternal deaths and a burden of newborn mortality.
He said although the country has made commendable progress, it still has a long way to go.
“We have made progress, but it is not enough. Every death of a mother is an unfortunate incident and no level of maternal mortality is acceptable,” he said.
“We have to ensure all women in Nigeria have access to quality maternal care, irrespective of where they come from”
Safe motherhood day
Prof Pate said the guideline was released to commemorate the 2024 Safe Motherhood Day.
The National Safe Motherhood Day is an annual event marked on 11 April to create awareness and generate public dialogue on best strategies and interventions that enhance maternal and newborn health and survival within an integrated continuum of care.
This year’s Safe Motherhood Day is themed, ‘Investing in maternal health for a sustainable future.’
Addressing maternal mortality
Prof Pate said the approved N25bn from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is to ensure quality healthcare in reducing maternal mortality, access to basic emergency obstetric care, comprehensive emergency obstetric care, and availability of necessary commodities for safe delivery.
“We aim to reach at least seven million pregnant women through those services over time per year and at least six million newborn births on an annual basis.”
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Dr Gifty Addico lamented that Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally, with thousands of women dying each year due to preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.
Represented by the organization’s Gender and Reproductive Health Specialist, Dr Musa Elisha, Dr Addico said it is important for all pregnant women to deliver at health facilities where there are skilled attendants and appropriate equipment.
“However, women and girls across Nigeria continue to face challenges in accessing quality maternal and newborn care, particularly amongst the underserved, marginalised, and vulnerable populations.”
On her part, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom noted that with the launch of the documents, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and unsafe abortion affecting maternal health in Nigeria will be addressed.
Ms Kachollom said together, we can build a country where every mother has the opportunity to experience the joy of childbirth in safety and dignity.
“We can create a future where every mother and newborn receive the care and support they need to thrive,” she said.