Group tasks Langbassa residents on maternal mortality

Women from rural Langbassa community of Ajah in Lagos were full of joy and praises for Ark Foundation because of the humanitarian gesture the organization extended to the community recently.

The Foundation was launched to curb the high rate of maternal death through partnering with groups to identify the problems with the high rate of maternal mortality and suggest ways of eradications.
The event at Langbansa, which had the theme: ‘Maternal issues: causes and challenges before and after Pregnancy,’ witnessed a large turnout of working class women and individuals from all over Lagos.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, approximately 800 women die daily during childbirth and many suffer severe complications from pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Maternal mortality is defined by WHO as “the death of women while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy from any cause related to, or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes.”

WHO Statistical evidence as at 2013, showed that maternal mortality is the second most common causes of death among women of reproductive age. It claims an average of 800 women in the world daily (as at 2013).

Recent report indicates that Nigeria is one of the six countries that account for 50 per cant of global maternal deaths. Mr. Olakitan Ogunkoya, President of Ark Foundation, said the death of his wife and attendant bitter experience made him to establish the foundation.

Mr. Shadrack Ashionyedue, a public relations executive, said the Ark Foundation organised a community outreach to reach all women and impart them with knowledge with regards to pre and post natal issues, direct and indirect causes of maternal mortality.
According to him, over 150 people benefited from the foundation‘s largess, which includes household items, clothes and others.