Group laments poor access to healthcare services in rural communities

A non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)- Maternal Health Initiatives for Mothers has raised concerns that 58 per cent of women in rural communities do not have access to medical centres, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates.

The group called on the government, NGOs and private entities to support efforts to ensure safe births for expectant women in underserved communities.

The founder of the initiative, Dr Sandra Uzodimma, disclosed this during a community seminar and outreach in Shetuko-Kuje, Abuja, which emphasised the urgent need for intervention.

She also said that the initiative aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by providing necessary medical supplies and educating women on postpartum care and family planning.

Uzodimma, represented by her Personal Assistant, Confidence Anero-Nnamdi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring safe births for expectant women lacking access to proper healthcare.

The outreach, which is a follow-up to a previous visit in December, provided birthing kits and essential supplies to women in the community. Many of these women rely on home births or local midwives due to the absence of adequate healthcare facilities.

She said: “Last year, we distributed birthing kits to help women deliver safely at home or with midwives. Today, we are following up to ensure that they had safe deliveries and to educate them on postpartum health, which is often misunderstood.

The group called on the government and the public to partner with them to expand healthcare access and reduce maternal deaths in underserved areas, adding that safe childbirth should not be a privilege but a right for all women.

In addition to providing birth kits, the seminar educated women on postpartum care and family planning. “We plan to ensure more women have safe, hygienic deliveries. But we need support, government assistance, partnerships, and funding to reach more communities,” Anero-Nnamdi said.

The CEO of Noble Voice Against Women and Child Violence, Naomi Akpan, praised the impact of the initiative. “Many of these women wouldn’t have been able to buy these essential items because they lack the financial means. We need the government to step in and provide long-term solutions,” she added.