The Programme Director of Development Communications Network (DEVCOMS), Mr Akin Jimoh has disclosed that Lagos accounts for 24 percent of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Nigeria.

Jimoh who made the revelation when he visited the Lagos Operations of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Iganmu, Lagos on Thursday, called for collaboration with the media for improved maternal and child health to reduce the high burden of maternal deaths in Nigeria.

According to him, “It is regrettable that a large proportion of women still lose their lives to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. In Lagos State alone, statistics show that 555 women out of 100,000 die annually as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth; it is equivalent to six women dying every hour. A lot of factors account for these needless deaths; there is need to stem them and it requires increased collaborative efforts and mass sensitisation.

“The media can play a major role in this because they checkmate government policies, ensure that there is accountability, as well as give out the right information to the public. Yet, we need to do more because these deaths are under-reported, especially when it has to do with under-developed, rural and semi-rural areas.’’

He added that maternal mortality was not an issue that should be overlooked, stressing that its causes were broad, ranging from unwanted pregnancy that lead to abortions, haemorrhage, sepsis to poor healthcare services and delays.

“They include inability to take prompt decisions before going to a health facility, unavailability of transportation to access the health facility, as well as the proximity of health facilities. Delays can also come from factors that affect prompt treatment such as power supply, unavailability of qualified medical personnel, drugs, consumables among others.

“There is need for individuals, health workers, government and the media to know that we are all stakeholders in this issue. We can be victims in one way or the other; so, it is necessary to intensify the need for good maternal health because without good health, we cannot function well,’’ Jimoh said.

Also speaking, Family Planning Consultant and Financial Secretary of Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) Lagos, Mrs Appolonia Eke said that the media was important in achieving the desired aim of reducing maternal mortality.

“Media are integral in achieving the desired aim of reducing maternal mortality. If they show the kind of commitment that was shown during the time we had Ebola crisis in Nigeria through the dissemination of right information, the rate of deaths from complications of pregnancy and childbirth will be reduced.

“There is need for people to understand and embrace family planning (child spacing) and the use of contraceptive methods. Child spacing helps to avoid the proven challenges that women face in pregnancy and childbirth, especially when they are too young, old, or when pregnancies are too close or too many. Successful child spacing programmes improve quality of life and significantly contribute to demographic dividends and national development,” she said.

Eke explained that advocacy and enlightenment campaigns should be continuous, especially in the rural and semi-urban areas to highlight the importance of accessing healthcare services and family planning.

The Vice-Chairman, Interfaith Group of NURHI, Mr Abraham Adekoya said that is was important for people to have the right imformation on family planning.

“It is important that people know the right information on family planning (child spacing) and use of contraceptives. This is because adequate information will help to correct some of the myths and misconceptions and break barriers surrounding the use of contraceptives in Nigeria.

“There should be more investment in family planning services in terms of funding and advocacy, because failure to take action will result to dire consequences. When a woman dies, it is not just a loss to family, but a loss to the nation; this is because the nation loses out on her contributions to the social and economic development,’’ he said.

The Deputy-Editor-in-Chief and Head of NAN, Lagos Editorial Operations, Mr Idonije Obakhedo received the visotors on behalf of the Director/Head of Lagos Operations, Mr Mike Mbonye.

He commended the Devcoms team for their commitment to the health sector, especially the drive to ensure that women enjoyed good maternal health, adding that the agency was committed to disseminating right and balanced information to members of the public.

Obakhedo pledged the support of NAN toward realising the goals on health,
especially in reducing maternal and child mortality, improving maternal health to achieve a better Nigeria.