The African Perinatal Society (APS) has called for increased awareness and early antenatal care among pregnant women to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria and other African countries.
The call was made at the Second International Congress of Ultrasound and Perinatal Medicine organised by the society in collaboration with UNICEF and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
President of APS, Prof. Aliyu Dayyabu, said the conference aimed to bring together perinatologists and other health professionals to develop practical solutions to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Dayyabu, a Consultant Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and lecturer at Bayero University Kano, said some international participants had donated medical equipment to healthcare facilities in need.
He added that plans were underway for experts to return from August next year to provide regular three-day training for frontline healthcare workers.
The consultant said nurses, midwives and doctors from primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities would benefit from the training to ensure improved practices reach communities at the grassroots.
In his keynote address, Prof. Vedran Stefanovic, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine from Finland, described early antenatal booking as one of the most effective and affordable interventions for reducing maternal deaths.
Stefanovic said many maternal deaths could be prevented if women visited health facilities early after becoming pregnant.
He identified pre-eclampsia, HIV transmission, diabetes and complications associated with large babies as conditions that could be detected and managed through early antenatal care.
Stefanovic urged communities, especially women in rural areas, to be educated on the importance of seeking antenatal services early.
He also called for the strengthening of rural healthcare facilities and the training of midwives to provide basic antenatal services and promptly refer high-risk pregnancies.
In a goodwill message, UNICEF Health Manager, Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum, commended APS for promoting excellence in maternal, fetal and neonatal health through research, training and collaboration.
Seyoum described the theme of the congress — “Synergy in Practice: Transforming Perinatal Outcomes Through Obstetrics and Neonatal Partnerships” — as timely and relevant.
He expressed confidence that the scientific presentations, hands-on training and focus on modern technologies would strengthen healthcare systems and accelerate efforts to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
