Stakeholders in the reproductive health sector have reminded pregnant women of the need of seeking antenatal care from competent healthcare professionals.
They recommended pregnant moms to have trained birth attendants present throughout delivery, stressing that difficulties might arise at any point during the procedure.
They provided suggestions during a one-day Reproductive Health Stakeholders Conversation on Strategies and Reforms to Ultimately Eliminate Preventable Maternal Mortality and Enhancing Maternal Health Capacity in Asaba, Delta State.
The gathering was part of events to commemorate this year’s Safe Motherhood Day.
Dr Philomena Okeowo, Permanent Secretary at the state Ministry of Health, emphasized that the state government was dedicated to ensuring that women of reproductive age and children in the state had access to free and high-quality health care.
Okeowo also reiterated the state government’s commitment to promote safe motherhood.
She did, however, say that lowering maternal fatalities requires a concerted effort from the government, healthcare providers, civil society groups, and people, and that all stakeholders must take responsibility to ensure that every woman has access to excellent healthcare services.
“By doing so, we can avoid unnecessary deaths and impairments while also improving the health and well-being of mothers and children.”
“According to the Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Surveillance and Response Report 2019 – 2020, Delta State maternal death rate is 189/100,000 live birth in 2020,” she stated.
The Permanent Secretary called the results as unsatisfactory, emphasizing the need for the state to promote safe motherhood measures such as quality antenatal care and family planning, which are foundations of the safe motherhood project.
While noting that ante-natal care services were vital in guaranteeing the safety of mother and child, Dr Okeowo said that the services were also critical in diagnosing and managing any possible health risks that may occur during pregnancy.
She stated that with frequent check-ups, healthcare practitioners might spot possible issues and give required treatments to ensure that a woman has a happy pregnancy experience with minimum difficulties.
“Family planning services are also important in encouraging safe parenthood,” she says. It offers several benefits for women, children, families, and society as a whole, including avoiding unplanned pregnancies, empowering women, boosting economic growth, and fostering gender equality.”
She emphasized the importance of everyone, including the government, healthcare professionals, and people, prioritizing family planning and working to ensure that every woman has access to a variety of family planning alternatives.
“Women are able to join in the labor force, seek education and training, and contribute to the economic success of their families and communities,” she said.
“During labor, difficulties might occur unexpectedly, and without effective care, these complications can lead to maternal and neo-natal death,” Okeowo said.
Dr Paul Okubor of the state Hospital Management Board (HMB) stated core principles of safe motherhood in his keynote talk, which included family planning, obstetric care/newborn care, PNC, and post-abortion care.
To combat maternal mortality, Dr. Okubor stated that healthcare practitioners must remove obstacles to access to healthcare and nutrition at every stage of a woman’s life, beginning with the conception of the girl-child.
Mr Daniel Zibe of Marie-Stopes, a partner in the reproductive health sector, stated in his remarks that they had covered 56 sites in Delta State where consumables for family planning were given.
Zibe confirmed that Marie-Stopes will continue to deliver consumables for assistance.
