The National Coordinator of Rotary Reproductive Maternal and Child Health, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju, has urged pregnant women, nursing mothers and fathers to patronise skilled birth attendants and well-equipped health facilities for safe delivery and better care for infants.
Lufadeju warned that most maternal deaths in Nigeria occur because women seek healthcare services from quacks and non-qualified providers, stressing the need for more sensitisation to reduce maternal and child mortality.
He spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during a two-day sensitisation training on maternal and child health organised by Rotary-RMCH.
“The two-day workshop was organised to sensitise journalists on the need to engage communities on this critical issue. The media has the power to shape public discourse, influence policy and inspire action through their various platforms,” he said.
According to him, “As Rotarians, we are committed to reducing maternal and child mortality rates. We believe every mother deserves a safe journey through motherhood and every child deserves a healthy start in life.”
Lufadeju cited World Health Organisation figures, which put global under-five deaths at 5.9 million annually due to malnutrition, poor healthcare and inadequate sanitation.
“In Nigeria, the statistics are alarming. Maternal mortality stands at 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. This translates to over 700 women dying daily from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications. Most of these deaths are due to seeking healthcare from quacks and non-qualified providers,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, said the state government had taken bold steps to reduce maternal and child mortality.
She listed the measures to include huge investments in children’s vaccination, massive renovation of health facilities, and provision of family planning commodities.
“The government believes that no life should be lost in the process of any pregnant woman trying to give birth to another life,” she said.
Gbenga-Igotun urged journalists to “use their platforms to raise awareness, promote action and inspire change to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State chapter, Kayode Babatuyi, who was also a participant, assured that journalists would give adequate publicity to the campaign against maternal and child mortality.
