NGO seeks improved funding of infant, maternal healthcare

Development Communications Networks (DEVCOMS), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government to improve the funding of child and maternal healthcare to reduce infant and maternal death.

The Programme Officer of DEVCOMS, Mrs Abiodun Owo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

Owo also called for the establishment of primary health centres in rural areas to make healthcare accessible to women at the grassroots.

“The allocation of funding to maternal health, release of such funding, and then letting them get to the people that need them because if the funding gets there, they will not be asking women to bring cotton wool and syringe.

“They would not be asking me, for example, to bring Dettol and JIK, if I want to have a baby.

“If funding is in place and if the health facilities are well equipped to taste, women will access these services.

“Really, the rural communities are neglected; they are marginalised in the aspect of provision of primary healthcare facilities.

“So, what should be done is that, within some distance, there should be primary healthcare facilities.

“At least, with a minimum standard, with a medical doctor, a midwife and other attendants that can attend to a woman anytime.

“So, if such things can happen in a particular diameter, if they can have primary healthcare facilities situated in such rural areas, it will help women a lot.“

According to her, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) are strategic partners that government needs to work with to improve healthcare and to safeguard the lives of expectant mothers.

“We have a National Health Policy that recognises traditional practitioners and even recognises the fact that they need to be trained from time to time.

“And then, let them know what the standards of practice are, and let them know when they need to start referring.

“So, at the point where their services stop, they need to know that point, and then if they need to refer, do that.

“Training them is very key; let them have the skill.

“The problem I think the the hospitals have with the Traditional Birth Attendants is there cultural beliefs, which are against orthodox medicine.

“So, they need to first train them, let them know what exactly is the correct thing; they should build their capacity to take care of pregnant women, and let them know how to detect complications.

“Once you see these complications, if it is beyond your expertise, then refer them immediately.

“I think the other thing they can do is to encourage them with incentives.”

DEVCOMS is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to mobilising, promoting, and galvanising public health and social sector journalism to ensure sustainable development.

It is also involved in advocating improved reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in the country.