A non-governmental organisation – Maternal and Reproductive Health Collective (MRHC) has revealed that Lagos State has achieved a 99.9 per cent reduction in maternal deaths across 20 local councils, which marks a major milestone in efforts to curb Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rate.
In a press conference held in Ikeja, the group said that 75,000 maternal deaths were recorded in Nigeria in 2023 alone, accounting for 28.7 per cent of global maternal mortality.
To address the crisis, MRHC launched MamaBase, a data-driven intervention supporting vulnerable, low-income women through pregnancy and six weeks postpartum. Implemented in 20 local councils in Lagos State, the programme registered 7,883 pregnant women between October 2023 and September 2024. Of these, 7,467 delivered safely under medical supervision.
The initiative reported a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 123 per 100,000 live births, significantly lower than the national average of 1,047 per 100,000. Other notable outcomes included a 50 per cent reduction in third-trimester losses among participants, emergency care for 144 high-risk cases, including life-saving cesarean sections and a 99.9 per cent childbirth survival rate.
Speaking at the event, Acting Executive Director of MRHC, Dr Olajumoke Oke, called for increased support to expand the initiative to more councils beyond Lagos State.
Oke highlighted the programme’s community-centric approach. “By registering vulnerable pregnant women, linking them to primary health facilities, and providing free scans, tests, and emergency care, we’ve shown that systemic change is possible even in resource-limited settings.”
Chief Operating Officer of MRHC, Mrs Olufunmilola Owosho, revealed that a second phase of the initiative is underway in 12 high-risk councils, including; Epe, Alimoso, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Mushin, Ajeromi, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Kisofe, Agege, Apapa and Eti-Osa. She further disclosed plans to expand the project to Kaduna State.
“The second phase will feature a more streamlined process focused on disadvantaged communities,” Owosho explained. She stressed the need for partnerships with community organisations and resources to ensure wider reach and sustainability.
However, she also acknowledged the obstacles encountered during the implementation of MamaBase, citing the absence of emergency transport for women in labour, lack of health insurance and birth plans, and socio-cultural barriers as major challenges.
MRHC’s Senior Programme Manager, Research, Dr Oluwatosin Laleye, lamented the continued deaths of pregnant women in the country. She attributed the trend to a combination of medical and structural factors, including excessive bleeding, infections, hypertensive disorders, poverty, inequality, and poor attitude of some health workers.
“Pregnant women often shun health centres because of high costs and unfriendly health personnel.”
In response, the NGO adopted a multi-pronged intervention strategy that includes training of health professionals, telehealth messaging, home visits by community health workers, research, and advocacy.
In 2023 and 2024, MRHC trained 284 primary healthcare doctors and 69 nurses in Emergency Obstetrics Care (EMOC), and sensitised over 1,900 health workers on Respectful Maternal Care.
The programme’s Senior Data Manager, Mr Lekan Olagunju, confirmed that 79 per cent of women in the target group delivered safely and expressed satisfaction with the quality of care.
The Research and Project Coordinator, Fehintoluwa Aluko, emphasised the need to improve maternal health-seeking behaviour through continuous education and support.
