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In a recent statement, the World Bank indicated that 20 percent of maternal and child mortality cases worldwide occur in Nigeria. This emphasizes a critical health crisis that demands immediate attention.
It further disclosed that the Nigerian government had directed more resources toward primary health care throughout the country by establishing a Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
“Nigeria’s levels of maternal and child mortality are among the highest in the world, with maternal mortality representing 20 per cent of the global burden,” the report stated.
According to the report, both the GFF and the World Bank have supported the Nigeria State Health Investment Project to reach communities in Northeastern Nigeria, a region grappling with conflict and frail health systems that have deprived many individuals of necessary healthcare.
“Financing and technical assistance from the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, helped pilot this programme in three states, and mobilised government resources to expand it nationwide.
“The efforts helped to strengthen about 900 primary healthcare facilities with critical infrastructure like maternity wards, medicines, and skilled health workers. Deliveries, pregnancy medications, and other services were provided for free, and some facilities even covered transportation expenses for midwives to reach isolated communities,” the report stated.
Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, recently pointed out that far too many women continue to die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and a troubling number of children do not live to see their fifth birthday because of preventable diseases.
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The World Bank recently pointed out that 20 percent of all maternal and child mortality cases globally occur in Nigeria, signaling a severe health crisis that demands immediate focus and resources.
He noted that Nigeria loses about 2,300 under five years old children and 145 women of childbearing age and most of these deaths occur in northern Nigeria.
“This must change. We must ensure that every woman has access to antenatal care, that every pregnancy is delivered by trained and skilled midwives, and that every child completes their routine immunisation,” he said.
Experts believe that access to free pregnancy care and contraceptive availability to every Nigerian woman will help reduce maternal deaths.
The Board Chair of the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, Dr Ufuoma Omo-Obi, said, “Modern contraceptive prevalence and maternal mortality ratios are key indicators of a country’s progress. When contraceptives are not available, the contraceptive prevalence rate drops, and maternal mortality increases.
The organization expresses its desire for universal empowerment in reproductive decision-making, enabling individuals of all ages and backgrounds to make informed choices regarding family planning, rather than leaving it to circumstance. This objective relies heavily on unhindered access to contraceptive measures.