PRESIDENT and founder, The Ark foundation, Mr. Olakitan Ogunkoya has called for pregnant women to take antenatal checks serious and seek help in case of any emergency to reduce maternal mortality.

Ogunkoya, who was addressing rural women in Badore community Ajah Lagos urged government to privatise Federal/State Teaching hospitals, reduce cost of importing medical equipment and raw materials for drug manufacturing and promote the involvement of non-governmental organisations to improve medical healthcare in the country.

He said the sad loss of his wife during childbirth via a caesarian section led to the formation of the foundation.
Ogunkoya stated that the foundation has designed regular programmes, lectures and a health radio programme on Rhythm FM among others to educate, women on how to reduce maternal mortality in the society.

Participants were screened by doctors and healthcare givers for high blood pressure, blood sugar, and were empowered with free maternal consultation/treatment and welfare to reduce pains and deaths in the rural community.

More than 200 women benefitted from a seminar tagged “Maternal Issues (causes and challenges before and after Pregnancy)” by a medical practitioner to enlighten them on the health implications and preventions of untimely death. The participants were also screened by doctors and healthcare givers for high blood pressure, blood sugar, and were empowered with free maternal consultation/treatment to reduce pains and deaths in the rural community.

Mr. Shadrack Ashionyedue, Coordinator and Public Relation said the Ark Foundation organised the outreach to reach all women and educate them on pre- and postnatal issues.

Modupe Ikujemisi, an administrative official of the foundation urged government agencies and private organisations on the need to pay attention to the health of her citizenry by increasing the budget for health, investing in medical infrastructure, training facilities and providing conducive environment for research and development.