FG inaugurates task force on reduction of maternal mortality

Worried at the rate of deaths resulting from child birth, the federal government yesterday inaugurated a task force that will help conduct a rapid situation analysis and landscaping of maternal mortality in the country with a view of finding lasting solution towards curbing death among child birth giving women.

The Minster of Health, Prof. Issac Adewole while ingaurating members of the committee in Abuja, said the current statistics indicate that the nation’s marternal mortality ratio is 576 per 100,000 live births while neonatal mortality is 37 per 1000 live births lamenting that the situation has remained high despite efforts to reduce it.

According to him, states with the worst maternal health indicators, using skilled birth attendance rare Asma proxy indicator are Sokoto,(5.4percent), Zamfara(6.1 percent), Jigawa 7.6),Kastina (7.7), Kebbi (9.3), and Yobe (10.2) Kaduna and Oyo states will serve as a control role models.

” Currently,major causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria are haemorrhage 22percent, hypertensive diseases 12percent, infections 15,obstructed labour 8, unsafe abortion from 13 and indirect causes 20 percent with hypertension disorders and unsafe abortion assuming greater proportion.”

The Minister added that government and the ministry in particular is committed to reduction of maternal mortality in line with the global United Nations Development goals.

“To achieve the DSG MMR target of 70 per 100,000 live births in, 2030, there is need to think outside the box and strategically chart a road map to strengthen the health system and drastically reduce the maternal mortality in Nigeria. Hence the initiatives by the ministry to inaugurated a task force using the selected six states as a springboard and as catalyst an accelerated reduction of maternal mortality nationwide.

They will among other purpose, make recommendations on the road map for the immediate midterm and long term reduction of maternal mortality, document any other recommendations that may strengthen the Nigeria health system with a view to improving maternal health nationwide.
Members of the committee were drawn from reproductive division, Directors of relevant department in the federal ministry of health, representatives of development and implementing partners, nongovernmental organisations, civil society organisations and faith based Organizations.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello, said efforts will continue to be committed toward promoting the health of Nigerian mothers through various startegies and intervention such as prioritisation of reproductive, maternal newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition as a strategic pillar in the National health Plan.

Ibeneme Ebelechukwu, Abuja