The Maternal and Reproductive Health Collective (MRHC) has reported a decline in the number of women relying on traditional birth attendants (TBAs) for delivery, following the implementation of its Iyaloju Initiative in Lagos State. The organisation, however, urged the government and stakeholders to intensify efforts to expand access to skilled maternal care, especially among low-income and vulnerable women.
This was disclosed at the dissemination meeting of the Iyaloju Initiative, held recently, where government officials, community leaders, civil society organisations, and health professionals gathered to review the project’s outcomes.
Executive Director of MRHC, Dr Olajumoke Oke, said the meeting provided a platform to analyse findings, share experiences, and receive feedback from stakeholders. “As policymakers, leaders, and community influencers, your feedback is invaluable. We are not just here to share our data but also to gather insights that will help us create a lasting impact on maternal health outcomes in Lagos State,” she said.
According to MRHC, baseline and endline data collected between 2023 and 2025 showed a drop in deliveries by TBAs from 30.1 per cent to 24.6 per cent. At the same time, deliveries in public hospitals increased from 39.1 per cent to 40.7 per cent, while private hospital deliveries rose from 30.8 per cent to 34.7 per cent.
The organisation attributed continued patronage of TBAs mainly to affordability challenges and lack of health insurance coverage among many women.
Oke emphasised the role of partnerships with the Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Board, community leaders, and media partners in achieving progress. She added that the success of the Iyaloju Initiative underscored the importance of collective effort in reducing maternal mortality.
The project, implemented across 18 local government areas of Lagos State (excluding Alimosho and Ikorodu), focused on improving the use of skilled maternal services at primary healthcare facilities. Its strategies included emergency obstetric care training for doctors and nurses, respectful maternity care training for healthcare workers, data audit training for health information managers, as well as community outreaches and participatory forums.
Chief Operating Officer of MRHC, Mrs Funmi Owosho, explained that the initiative was part of the organisation’s broader mission to ensure that every African woman and girl has access to information, resources, and quality healthcare.
“Our work is anchored on three strategic pillars: research, programmes, and advocacy. The Iyaloju Initiative is one of our flagship interventions designed to generate demand for maternal healthcare by shifting community norms and increasing health-seeking behaviour,” she said.
Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Manager of MRHC, Dr. Chiamaka Uwalaka, noted that the meeting also served as a policy stakeholders’ forum to share insights that could guide government decision-making. She said similar meetings had been held in previous years, but this year’s marked the closeout of the project.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, commended the Iyaloju Initiative, describing it as a valuable programme that demonstrated the power of collaboration. She stressed that no single organisation could address maternal health challenges alone and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to policies that prioritise women’s and children’s wellbeing.
The MRHC concluded that while the decline in reliance on TBAs was encouraging, long-term investment in community engagement, mentoring of health workers, and increased awareness of health insurance would be critical to sustaining gains and ensuring that more women access skilled maternity care in Lagos State.
