Stakeholders seek better maternal, neonatal care

In a bid to curb mortality rates, Stakeholders in health sectors have sought implementation of innovations for better maternal and neonatal care.

This was at the High-Level Stakeholders meeting on Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) Innovations themed, Accelerating the Expanded Adoption of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) Innovations organised by Centre for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP) in Lagos.

Commissioner for Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Prof. Emmanuel Abayomi, represented by Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, identified a major cause of pregnant women death as their religious beliefs, while urging religious leaders to desist from having mini labour wards or hospital in their centers.

She said that the Lagos State government is committed to ensuring that maternal and child health is at the forefront of their activities while emphasising on the impact of collaboration to upscale efforts.

She noted that data is very important in terms of research and collecting proper information to be able to identify the problems and profer solutions. She reiterated that due to the importance of this issue, the Governor has given free antenatal care and child delivery services to mothers, a step to help cure mortality rate.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Dr Abimbola Bowale, represented by Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, LSPHCB, Dr. Temitope Balogun, said the Group Antenatal Care (GANC) is a method to foster supportive community environment for expectant mothers, which would result in improved quality of care and produce better outcomes for mothers and babies.

Chief Nursing Officer, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Safe Motherhood Branch, Mrs. Omobolanle Iortyom, said Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) is aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rate, enhance quality of care, empower healthcare providers and transform communities. She explained that innovations such as D-Calibrated drape and E-Motive bundle is geared towards sustainable reduction of Maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer, CIHP, Dr. Bola Oyeledun, emphasised the need to remember that each number is a human being so the need to commit that no one would be left behind. “As we begin to accelerate this, our focus is to make sure we get to zero. Zero maternal, neonatal and child deaths, zero illnesses.

While National President, Medical Women Association, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, stressed the need for collaboration to save pregnant women and babies and also ensure they have good nutrition. She tasked stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of innovation that work to help reduce maternal and child mortality.