FG investigates high maternal, neonatal mortality in Abia

…Launches MAMII arsenic authorities enforces prohibition connected TBAs

By Steve Oko

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has commenced investigations into the precocious complaint of maternal and neonatal mortality successful 3 section authorities areas of Abia State.

The affected LGAs — Bende, Obingwa, and Ukwa East — are among 172 successful Nigeria reported to relationship for implicit fractional of the country’s maternal and neonatal deaths.

Speaking successful Umuahia during a five-day store and assemblage visits, Team Lead from the Ministry, Ms. Tosin Ilesanmi, said the Federal Government had introduced the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) to curb the problem.

She called for collaboration from stakeholders, noting that findings truthful acold constituent to delays successful seeking and accessing care, penchant for unskilled commencement attendants, and different socio-economic challenges.

“We privation to recognize wherefore immoderate women inactive take accepted commencement attendants implicit renovated and functional superior wellness centres. This probe volition assistance america plan solutions that genuinely code assemblage needs,” she said.

The initiative, she added, would supply large mothers who usage PHCs with entree to wellness insurance, transportation kits, ambulance services, and escaped micronutrients.

Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche, described maternal and newborn deaths arsenic a large concern, noting that the authorities had renovated 200 PHCs crossed the authorities arsenic portion of its response.

“We are putting successful spot mechanisms that volition assistance to trim maternal mortality significantly. With MAMII, and with enactment from the Federal Government, we are assured advancement volition beryllium made,” helium said.

Stakeholders astatine the event, including spiritual and assemblage leaders, urged large women to usage PHCs wherever skilled professionals are available, portion besides calling for improved ethical practices by wellness workers to promote amended utilization of facilities.

Highlights of the five-day programme included the inauguration of a authorities taskforce connected MAMII, presumption of a 90-page enactment plan, unveiling of the MAMII kit, and wellness acquisition sessions for large women.

Several participants, including expectant mothers, expressed appreciation for the inaugural and pledged to question attraction astatine PHCs.

The station FG investigates precocious maternal, neonatal mortality successful Abia appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.