The Group Managing Director of Tolu Medical Centre, Lagos, Mrs Olajumoke Caxton-Martins says continued sensitisation is critical to reducing maternal mortality among pregnant women in underserved communities.
Caxton-Martins said this during a maternal health outreach, held in celebration of the 37th Anniversary of Tolu Medical Centre, on Sunday in Lagos.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), maternal mortality in Nigeria remains one of the highest globally.
Data from the health agency reveals that Nigeria accounts for 12 per cent of global maternal, stillbirths and neonatal deaths .
She said that education and empowerment of pregnant women in underserved communities would reduce deaths from pregnancy complications and their dependence on unskilled Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA).
The Group MD said that due to financial concerns and ignorance, many pregnant women had exposed themselves to risks.
According to her, the hospital holds quarterly health sensitisation for pregnant women in Ajegunle and Ojo communities where its health facilities are sited, to improve health outcomes among pregnant women.
She said that through the programme, they interact with no fewer than 1,000 pregnant women annually, encouraging most to embrace health facilities for antenatal, delivery and family planning services.
“In 37 years of interacting with pregnant women in these communities, we have identified persistent health talk and advice as factors that assist them embrace supervised medical care.
“So, our part is to help them stay focused, help them stay healthy, help them stay alive.
“The driving force behind Tolu Medical Centre is making healthcare affordable and accessible for as many people as possible,” Caxton-Martins said.
Similarly, Dr Abayomi Ayankoso, Medical Director, Tolu Medical Centre, Ojo, urged the Federal Government to stabilise the economy.
Ayankoso said that a robust economy that is self-sustainable, would impact the lives of citizens and the health sector.
A pregnant woman, Mrs Juliet Yakub, said that she almost lost her life and baby from pregnancy complications while patronising an unskilled traditional birth attendant at Ajegunle.
“I visited a traditional birth attendant because I felt it was cheaper than a hospital, complications occurred during delivery and I was rushed to Tolu Medical Centre.
“They attended to me promptly, saved my life and my baby. Since then I’ve been using the hospital.
“My advice to other pregnant women is that using a hospital is better than a traditional birth attendant,” Yakub said.
No fewer than 300 pregnant women were present at the medical outreach which featured health talks and counselling, subsidised ultrasound, and antenatal services, among others.
NAN
